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.

The lead additive acts as a lubricant, which allows 12L14 carbon steel to withstand very fast machining. It's used to fabricate a wide variety of machine parts.

Stronger than low-carbon steel with equally good machinability, 1045 carbon steel is widely used for bolts, studs, and shafts.

Made with vanadium, this alloy steel retains its strength at temperatures up to 1100° F.

Also known as chrome-moly steel, this versatile alloy steel is used for a wide range of parts, such as gears, axles, shafts, collets, and die holders. It resists fracturing from repeated stress.

While the low carbon content makes 8620 alloy steel easy-to-weld, it's the nickel, chromium, and molybdenum content that provides wear resistance.

Ductile cast iron is strong, resilient, and able to handle repeated stress without breaking.

From cookware to chemical-processing equipment, 304 stainless steel is a good all-around choice for a wide range of applications.

With a higher chromium content than 15-5 PH stainless steel, this high-strength 17-4 PH offers better corrosion resistance. It is also known as 630 stainless steel.

One of the most machinable types of stainless steel available, 416 contains sulfur for fast machining without clogging cutting tools. It's used for gears, screws, and shafts.

An oversized diameter allows for finishing to your exact requirements.

With an oversized diameter, these rods and discs let you finish to your exact requirements.

An oversized diameter on these rods allows for finishing to your exact requirements.

The most widely used aluminum, 6061 is fabricated into everything from pipe fittings and containers to automotive and aerospace parts. It is strong and corrosion resistant, plus it's easy to machine and weld.

With the highest lead content of all the brass alloys, 360 offers the best machinability. Often called free-machining and free-cutting brass, it stands up to high-speed drilling, milling, and tapping operations with minimal wear on your tools. It’s commonly used for gears, pinions, and lock components.

An easier-to-machine alternative to 932 bronze, 936 also has better corrosion resistance. It's also called modified SAE 64.

For a good combination of strength, machinability, and weldability, choose 955 bronze.

Delrin® acetal resin, also known as acetal homopolymer, is stronger and stiffer than acetal copolymer.

An economical alternative to Delrin® acetal resin, this acetal copolymer offers similar wear resistance.

Also known as nylon 6/6, this general purpose material is often used for bearings, gears, valve seats, and other high-wear parts.

The addition of MDS results in a nylon with exceptional wear resistance as well as self-lubricating properties.

In addition to a low-friction surface that prevents sticking and binding, this tough material is impact and wear resistant to handle the scuffs, scrapes, and strikes that other plastics can’t.

This oil-filled material is self-lubricating for an extra-slippery surface.

Offering greater impact resistance than standard PVC Type 1 with similar chemical resistance, this PVC Type 2 is widely used for parts that are subject to shock.

Because this polypropylene resists swelling when exposed to water, it’s often fabricated into containers and parts for laboratory equipment.

Practically nonabsorbent, HDPE won't swell when exposed to moisture. It is denser and more rigid than LDPE, plus it's more chemical resistant.

Known for its naturally slippery surface, PTFE surpasses most plastics when it comes to chemical resistance and performance in extreme temperatures.

Also called reprocessed and mechanical-grade PTFE, this material is an economical alternative to standard PTFE.

A good all-around choice, Garolite G-10/FR4 is strong, machinable, and electrically insulating. It meets UL 94 V-0 for flame retardance.