Also known as mild steel, low-carbon steel is easy to machine, form, and weld. It's widely fabricated into low-strength fasteners, pins, and axles. You can surface harden this material for added wear resistance.

If you don't see the size you're looking for, check out our Made-to-Order Low-Carbon Steel Rods.

An MDS additive provides exceptional wear resistance as well as a self-lubricating surface. Made of cast nylon 6, they’re easier to machine than other MDS-filled nylon rods and discs, plus they are better electrical insulators. Use them to fabricate gears, sprockets, wear strips, and other high-friction parts. This material is comparable to Nylatron and Nycast.

Ground to paper-thin tolerances, these 6061 aluminum rods are best for precision parts.

6061 is the most widely used aluminum, made into everything from pipe fittings to containers to airplane parts. It balances strength and corrosion resistance, plus it’s easy to machine and weld.

Because these cast nylon 6 rods and discs are easier to machine than standard nylon 6/6, they’re often made into pulleys, screws, bushings, and bearings. They’re also better electrical insulators. They have a wear-resistant, slippery surface that reduces friction. This material is comparable to Nylatron and Nycast.

Gray cast iron machines faster with less wear on cutting tools than most types of steel. It also absorbs vibration, so finished parts run quieter than those made of steel. An oversized diameter allows for finishing to your exact requirements. It's often used for gears, pulleys, rollers, and bushings.

With a high amount of ferrite, these cast iron rods are easier to machine without cracking than other impact-resistant ductile cast iron rods. Use them to create bushings, gears, pulleys, and pistons. These rods are also known as 65-45-12 ductile iron rods. All conduct electricity. They will become magnetic if exposed to a magnetic field. They’re often used to replace low and medium carbon steel rods.