Stainless Steel Machining Services
- Multi-axis CNC milling
- Five-axis machining
- CNC turning and lathe
- EDM machining
- EDM wiring
- Grinding
- Welding and fabrication
- CMM inspection
- Injection mold building
- Custom part manufacturing
- Precision tooling
- Prototyping
- Build to print
Advantages of Machining Stainless Steel Parts
Stainless steel is a family of iron-based alloys that contain a minimum of roughly 11 percent chromium, an element that prevents rust and withstands extreme temperatures. This material also has a long cycle life and is 100 percent recyclable, making it environmentally friendly.
There are over 150 grades of stainless steel, a handful of which are used in everyday applications. Specific performance characteristics will vary by grade, but here are common traits.
- Corrosion resistance
- Strength
- Easy to clean
- High-temperature resistance
- Simple to sterilize
- Low-temperature resistance
- Aesthetic appeal
- Improved weldability
- Low weight
- Strong formability
- Magnetism resistance, in some cases
Stainless Steel Alloys
While Moon Tool & Die can machine, weld, and assemble any material, we work most often with 300, 400, and 17-4 series stainless steels. Each series has unique performance characteristics that are worth scrutinizing when choosing stainless steel for a project.
303 Stainless Steel
A chromium-nickel alloy modified by the addition of selenium, sulfur, and phosphorus to improve machinability and non-seizing properties. It’s easily processed and has good corrosion resistance. Typical uses are components that require machining, grinding, or polishing, which include shafts, gears, valves, bolts, screws.
304 Stainless Steel
A very low carbon, magnetism-resistant chromium-nickel alloy. It has high malleability, good corrosion resistance, and superior resilience to intergranular corrosion following welding or stress relieving. Common uses include food-processing equipment, screws, machinery parts, car headers, and architectural accents.
316 Stainless Steel
A magnetism-resistant, chrome-nickel alloy with superior corrosion resistance. It withstands exposure to harsh chemicals and marine environments. Usual applications for this material are food-preparation machinery, laboratory equipment, coastal paneling, marine parts, chemical containers, heat exchangers, fasteners, and springs.
410 Stainless Steel
Has 11-1/2 percent chromium and offers exceptional wear and corrosion resistance. Common applications include dental and surgical instruments, pipelines, valves, nozzles, and automotive parts.
420 Stainless Steel
A material that offers increased hardness, improved strength, and better wear resistance. It contains a minimum of 12 percent chromium, which results in strong corrosion-resistant properties. This material is made into cutlery, surgical instruments, needle valves, and shear blades.
17-4PH Stainless Steel
Has high levels of strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Being martensitic, it’s magnetic. It’s commonly used to manufacture pump shafts, oilfield components, mechanical seals, and aerospace parts.
17-4H900 Stainless Steel
A material that offers a good balance of corrosion resistance and strength. It’s magnetic and can be precipitation-hardened with heat treatment. Some applications include aircraft parts, nuclear equipment, food processing machines, and paper mills.
17-4H1150 Stainless Steel
A precipitation-hardened, chromium-copper alloy that exhibits high strength and a moderate level of corrosion resistance. It’s magnetic and heat-treated to add strength. Typical uses are valve components, pump shafts, aerospace parts, turbine blades, nuclear waste casks, offshore applications, food-processing tools, and pulp-and-paper industry equipment.
In addition to the list above, Moon Tool & Die can also machine, weld, and assemble the following grades of stainless steel:
- 1018
- 1045
- 12L14
- 4130
- 4140
- A36
If you do not see your stainless steel variation listed above and are not sure whether we can machine or not, please contact us today for further assistance!
The Moon Tool Advantage
Stainless steel is a widely used material. Yet, many machine shops struggle to produce conforming parts for clients, which causes unnecessary downtime, missed deadlines, and, ultimately, cost overruns. This is why it’s important to partner with the experts at Moon Tool & Die, a precision parts manufacturing leader.
With state-of-the-art technology and highly qualified engineering and production teams, we can manufacture components to exacting tolerances and assemble upper-level items quickly and efficiently. Material is purchased from reputable suppliers, and compliance is verified upon arrival. Our quality control team uses precise testing and inspection equipment to ensure every part produced surpasses customer specifications. All orders are audited for accuracy before shipment.