Custom Online Carbon Steel CNC Machining Service

Our Custom Online Carbon Steel CNC Machining Service offers precision machining for carbon steel parts tailored to your specifications. We provide high-quality, efficient production with quick turnaround times and competitive pricing, which is ideal for the automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing industries.
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Know About Carbon Steel CNC Machining

Carbon steel CNC machining involves precision cutting, shaping, and finishing of carbon steel parts. With excellent strength and versatility, it’s ideal for a wide range of applications. Proper machining parameters and tools are essential for achieving high-quality, cost-effective results.
Know About Carbon Steel CNC Machining

Category

Description

Machining Properties

Carbon steel is widely used in CNC machining due to its durability and versatility. It offers strength and hardness, making it ideal for cutting tools and machine components. However, its machinability can vary depending on the carbon content, with higher carbon steel being more challenging to machine due to increased hardness.

Machining Parameters

Cutting speeds, feed rates, and tool types are crucial for optimal results when machining carbon steel. Higher speeds and feed rates can be used for lower-carbon steels, while high-carbon steels require slower cutting speeds and more frequent tool changes. For best performance, the cutting tool should be made from high-speed steel (HSS) or carbide.

Precautions

During carbon steel machining, controlling heat buildup is essential, as excessive heat can lead to tool wear or material distortion. Proper coolant application helps mitigate this issue. Additionally, chip removal is vital to avoid workpiece damage, and selecting the right tool material and geometry is essential to prevent premature tool failure.

Typical CNC Machining Carbon Steel Available

Typical CNC machining carbon steel includes grades like 1018, 1040, 4140, A36, and 12L14. These steels offer a balance of strength, hardness, and machinability, making them suitable for a wide range of applications such as automotive, structural, and tool components.

Carbon Steel

Tensile Strength
(MPa)

Yield Strength
(MPa)

Fatigue Strength
(MPa)

Elongation
(%)

Hardness
(HRC)

Density
(g/cm³)

Applications

1018 Steel

370 - 700

295 - 420

220 - 380

15 - 20

55 - 75

7.87

Automotive parts, shafts, gears

1020 Steel

410 - 650

350 - 460

210 - 380

20 - 25

55 - 75

7.87

Structural components, bolts, fasteners

1025 Steel

450 - 700

400 - 520

220 - 380

20 - 25

60 - 80

7.87

Agricultural machinery, automotive parts, frame components

1040 Steel

600 - 900

450 - 600

230 - 400

12 - 20

60 - 80

7.85

Shafts, gears, crankshafts

1060 Steel

650 - 900

500 - 600

250 - 400

8 - 12

60 - 85

7.85

Knife blades, axles, industrial tools

1045 Steel

600 - 850

450 - 600

250 - 400

12 - 18

60 - 85

7.85

Structural parts, gears, shafts, pistons

1215 Steel

550 - 700

350 - 460

200 - 350

28 - 35

55 - 75

7.85

High-volume machining, bolts, fasteners

4130 Steel

600 - 850

460 - 700

350 - 500

15 - 20

28 - 32

7.85

Aerospace components, aircraft frames, automotive roll cages

4140 Steel

680 - 900

450 - 750

350 - 500

12 - 18

28 - 38

7.85

Tooling, automotive components, gears, crankshafts

4340 Steel

750 - 1000

580 - 850

400 - 650

10 - 15

35 - 45

7.85

Aircraft landing gear, gears, crankshafts, high-performance automotive parts

5140 Steel

600 - 800

450 - 650

300 - 450

12 - 15

30 - 35

7.85

Automotive components, axles, gears

A36 Steel

400 - 550

250 - 400

200 - 300

20 - 25

50 - 70

7.85

Structural steel, bridges, construction components

12L14 Steel

450 - 550

380 - 460

200 - 300

25 - 30

50 - 70

7.85

High-volume machining, fasteners, precision parts

Die Steel

1000 - 1300

800 - 1200

500 - 900

5 - 10

55 - 65

7.85

Molds, dies, tooling, stamping tools

Alloy Steel

500 - 1100

350 - 900

300 - 600

12 - 18

40 - 50

7.85

Heavy machinery, automotive parts, industrial tools

Chisel Tool Steel

850 - 1200

700 - 950

500 - 700

5 - 10

60 - 65

7.85

Cutting tools, chisel blades, industrial cutting applications

Spring Steel

900 - 1300

700 - 1000

500 - 800

6 - 12

50 - 60

7.85

Springs, clips, structural parts with high elasticity

High-Speed Steel

800 - 1200

600 - 1000

500 - 800

5 - 8

60 - 70

7.85

Cutting tools, drills, milling cutters

Cold Rolled Steel

400 - 600

300 - 450

150 - 250

20 - 30

40 - 60

7.85

Automotive components, structural beams, consumer goods

Bearing Steel

700 - 1000

500 - 700

400 - 600

5 - 10

60 - 65

7.85

Bearings, gears, rolling elements, industrial machinery

SPCC Steel

350 - 450

200 - 300

150 - 250

25 - 35

50 - 60

7.85

Sheet metal applications, automotive components

Surface Treatment for Carbon Steel CNC Machined Parts

Surface treatment for carbon steel CNC machined parts enhances durability and performance. Common methods include coating, heat treatment, galvanizing, and anodizing, which improve corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and surface hardness, ensuring longer life and better functionality in various applications.

Carbon Steel CNC Machined Components Gallery

The Carbon Steel CNC Machined Components Gallery showcases a range of precision parts manufactured from various carbon steel grades. These components, used in industries like automotive, construction, and machinery, highlight the versatility, strength, and durability of carbon steel materials.
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Carbon Steel CNC Machining Parameter Suggestion

Superalloy CNC machining requires optimized parameters for efficiency and quality. Key factors include controlled spindle power, moderate feed rates, shallow cuts, and high-pressure coolant. Proper tool selection, coatings, and machine rigidity ensure precision, reduce wear, and enhance component performance.

Parameters

Recommended Range/Value

Explanation

Spindle Power

5-15 kW (depends on size)

Higher power ensures efficient cutting of carbon steel, especially for harder grades. A higher spindle power allows for stable cutting at higher speeds.

Spindle Speed

500 - 4000 RPM

For carbon steel, spindle speed varies depending on material hardness. Lower speeds for tougher steels and higher speeds for softer ones.

Feed Rate

100 - 1000 mm/min

Feed rate affects material removal rate (MRR). Higher feed rates are suitable for soft steels, while slower rates work better for harder grades.

Cutting Depth (Deep Cut)

0.5 - 5 mm

Deep cuts are recommended to remove more material quickly, but should be adjusted based on material hardness and tool capability.

Cutting Width

0.5 - 3 mm

To balance cutting efficiency and tool wear. Wider cuts for softer materials, narrower cuts for harder steels.

Cutting Tool Material

Carbide, High-Speed Steel (HSS)

Carbide tools are preferred for higher hardness carbon steels due to their wear resistance and durability.

Tool Path Strategy

Contour, Slotting

Contour paths for complex geometries, slotting for straight-line cuts. Optimizing tool paths reduces cycle time and tool wear.

Coolant Type

Flood or Mist

Coolant helps in dissipating heat and improving tool life. Flood cooling is ideal for heavy cuts, while mist is used for light cuts.

Cutting Fluid Flow Rate

10 - 20 L/min

Ensures sufficient cooling and lubrication for tool life and surface finish. Higher flow rates for high-speed or deep cuts.

Pitch

0.5 - 2 mm

Affects surface finish. Smaller pitch results in finer finishes, while larger pitches are used for faster material removal.

Tool Wear Rate

Low (depends on cutting speed)

Tool wear is affected by cutting speed and material hardness. Maintaining lower speeds helps reduce premature tool wear.

Surface Finish

Ra 1.6 - 6.3 µm

Surface finish can be adjusted by altering the cutting parameters and tool choice. Finer finishes need slower speeds and higher feed rates.

Suggestions for Carbon Steel CNC Machining

Carbon steel CNC machining requires careful consideration of parameters like spindle speed, cutting depth, and tool selection. Proper planning ensures optimal material removal, surface finish, and tool life, minimizing defects and improving part accuracy for both low and high-volume production runs.

Tolerance Type

Recommended Range/Value

Explanation

General Tolerances

±0.05 mm to ±0.1 mm

General tolerances depend on part complexity. This range is ideal for most carbon steel parts and ensures proper fitment.

Precision Tolerances

±0.01 mm to ±0.05 mm

Precision tolerances are needed for high-precision applications, especially for components requiring tight fits like gears.

Min Wall Thickness

1.0 mm - 2.0 mm

Minimum wall thickness is essential for ensuring part strength and avoiding deformation during machining. Thin walls risk cracking or distortion.

Min Drill Size

1.0 mm

For small-hole drilling, a minimum drill size of 1.0 mm is commonly used. Smaller holes can be made, but they require specialized tools.

Maximum Part Size

1000 mm x 500 mm x 500 mm

Maximum part size depends on machine capabilities. Larger parts require robust machining centers, typically with a max size of 1000 mm.

Minimum Part Size

10 mm x 10 mm x 10 mm

Smaller parts are possible but may require specialized tooling. Parts below 10 mm can be challenging for handling and machining.

Production Volume

Low Volume (1 - 1000 units)

Carbon steel CNC machining is flexible, allowing low-volume production with quick setup times for prototyping and small batch runs.

Prototyping

1 - 100 units

Prototyping for carbon steel typically involves short runs, allowing design adjustments and testing before full production.

Low Volume

10 - 500 units

Low-volume production typically caters to customized components and smaller production batches while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

High Volume

500 - 10,000+ units

High-volume runs allow for optimized processes, reducing per-unit costs. Requires careful planning to minimize setup times.

Lead Time (Prototyping)

3 - 7 days

Prototyping lead times depend on part complexity, with most prototypes available in 3-7 days for carbon steel parts.

Lead Time (Production)

1 - 4 weeks

Production lead time depends on batch size and part complexity. Complex parts may take longer to manufacture.

Frequently Asked Questions

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