MAKENEXAAluminum alloys
Low density, machinability, forming and finish options for many structural and enclosure parts.
Materials guide
Pick the material family from the job—then confirm grade on the RFQ
Start with load, environment, process and finish, then narrow metals, engineering plastics or additive materials. MakeNexa sources representative grades through a global network; exact temper, form, availability and price stay project-specific.
Start this RFQ Review the route
Material picked—ready for a quote?Upload CAD with grade, temper and process notes so engineering can review the route.
Get a QuoteDecision guide
Select the material and process together
A familiar material name is not always a complete purchasing definition. Aluminum, stainless steel, nylon and ABS each contain grades and conditions with different strength, machining, forming, molding, printing, finish and documentation implications.
Begin with the constraints that cannot change, then distinguish preferences from requirements. When an exact grade is controlled, put it on the drawing or specification. When alternatives are acceptable, describe the performance target and the evidence needed to evaluate a substitution.
Route options
Representative material families
Use the filters to focus the comparison. These are routing examples, not an exhaustive stock promise.
Filter material families:
Stainless steels
Corrosion resistance, strength and cleaning needs across machined, formed and fabricated parts.
Carbon and alloy steels
Strength, wear and heat-treatment options where mass or corrosion is manageable.
Copper, brass and bronze
Electrical, thermal, bearing, corrosion or appearance-driven applications.
Titanium and nickel alloys
High strength-to-weight, temperature or corrosion demands with route-specific cost and tooling implications.
ABS, PC and blends
General housings and components with impact, appearance, molding or machining considerations.
Nylon, acetal and UHMW
Wear, friction, toughness or mechanical-component uses with moisture and stability considerations.
PEEK, PEI and fluoropolymers
Higher temperature, chemical or electrical requirements where exact grade and processing matter.
Additive powders and resins
Process-specific polymers, photopolymers and metals selected around function, resolution and post-processing.
Decision table
Material-selection questions
Answering these questions is more useful than choosing from a long unqualified list.
| Decision area | Questions | RFQ output |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 6061-T6 at 276 MPa yield, 7075-T6 at 503 MPa, 304 stainless at 215 MPa, 4140 up to roughly 1520 MPa quenched and tempered, Ti Grade 5 at 880 MPa | Names the candidates once the load case is stated |
| Stiffness | Aluminium 68.9 GPa, titanium 114 GPa, steel and stainless about 200 GPa, acetal 3.1 GPa, PEEK 3.6 GPa | A deflection-limited part is solved by section, not by grade |
| Mass | Magnesium 1.77, aluminium 2.70, titanium 4.43, steel 7.85, copper 8.94 g/cm³; acetal 1.41 and PEEK 1.30 | Mass follows the section the strength requires |
| Corrosion | 304 at a pitting resistance number of 18 to 20, 316 at 24 to 26, titanium above both; carbon steel needs a protective finish | State the fluid, concentration and temperature, not just outdoors |
| Temperature | Acetal near 90 °C continuous, ABS about 98 °C at 0.45 MPa, polycarbonate 130 to 140 °C, PEI about 200 °C, PEEK near 250 °C | Compatible families and condition requirements |
| Dimensional stability | Nylon 6/6 grows 0.5 to 0.8% from dry to equilibrium moisture; acetal absorbs 0.2 to 0.25% and holds its size | Decides most acetal-against-nylon choices on fitted parts |
| Manufacturing route | Machined, formed, welded, moulded or printed. 5052-H32 bends at 1x thickness where 6061-T6 needs 2 to 3x | Process-compatible grade and stock form |
| Evidence | Mill certificates to ASTM A276, ASTM A240, ASTM B221 or ASTM A29, with AMS references where a programme requires them | Supplier and documentation gate for the quote |
Preparation
What to control in the material callout
Use only the controls your project actually needs.
01Grade and governing specification
02Temper, heat treatment or supplied condition
03Stock form, direction or grain when relevant
04Color, filler or additive package
05Traceability, certificate or test-document requirement
06Rules for proposed alternatives or substitutions
Frequently asked questions
Questions to resolve before quotation
Use the submitted quote and written clarification as the project-specific record.
Can I submit an RFQ without knowing the material?
Yes. Select Not Sure and describe function, loads, environment, interfaces, finish and quantity. The review can identify candidate families and the tradeoffs that still require a buyer decision.
Does listing a material mean it is always in stock?
No. The material families shown are representative of the network. Exact grade, form, quantity, supplier availability, price and lead time are confirmed per RFQ.
When should I require a material certificate?
Require it when traceability, customer specification, regulation or risk justifies it. State the expected document type and whether heat or lot traceability is needed.
How are material substitutions handled?
State whether alternatives are prohibited, freely considered or require buyer confirmation. A substitution should be evaluated against the controlled functional and documentation requirements.
Ready for review
Send the files, requirements and open questions together
You will receive a stable RFQ reference. MakeNexa will assess the package, request clarification when needed and return a reviewed quote or clear next action.