Material choice form — choose the right metal for the task
A working document for assessing requirements and finding the right material before you order the item.
Fill in the form before you order or choose material for a new task. It forces you to take a stand on the requirements instead of choosing the material that is usually used.
§1. Requirements for the part
- 01Does the part need to withstand corrosion moisture or chemicals?
- 02Should the part be light or is weight not important?
- 03Does the part need to conduct heat or electricity?
- 04What mechanical requirements are there — strength, wear resistance, toughness?
- 05Are there requirements for the surface after machining?
§2. Compare candidates
| Material | Meets corrosion requirements? | Weight | Machinability | Estimated price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction steel | ||||
| Stainless steel | ||||
| Aluminum | ||||
| Messing/kobber |
§3. Processing plan for the chosen material
- 01What cutting tool and what geometry suits the material?
- 02What cutting data (revolutions, feed) is the starting point?
- 03Is there a need for special cooling lubricant?
- 04Does the material require heat treatment before or after machining?
§4. Approval
- 01The material choice is documented and can be justified to the customer or teacher
- 02Material certificate is checked if the part requirement requires it
- 03The choice is approved by the responsible party before the item is ordered or placed in the machine