3 1/2" Rods | McMaster-Carr

Made with more carbon and manganese than other easy-to-machine carbon steels, 1144 carbon steel has a higher yield strength and hardness. Also known as Stressproof, these rods are stress-relieved to minimize warping during machining.

Ultra-Machinable 12L14 Carbon Steel Rods

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.

Easy-to-Machine 1215 Carbon Steel Rods

A lead-free alternative to 12L14, 1215 carbon steel contains the same amount of sulfur and phosphorus for excellent machinability. It is often used for shaft couplings, studs, and pins.

High-Strength 1045 Carbon Steel Rods and Discs

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

Hardened Multipurpose 4140 Alloy Steel Rods

These rods are hardened for increased abrasion and impact resistance. Also known as chrome-moly steel, 4140 alloy steel resists fracturing from repeated stress.

Multipurpose 4140 Alloy Steel Rods and Discs

Also known as chrome-moly steel, this versatile 4140 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.

High-Strength 4340 Alloy Steel Rods

Use for power transmission and structural applications that involve extreme impact, heat, and wear.

Easy-to-Weld Wear-Resistant 8620 Alloy Steel

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

Oversized Easy-to-Machine
Gray Cast Iron Rods and Discs

An oversized diameter allows for finishing to your exact requirements.

Impact-Resistant Ductile Cast Iron Rods and Discs

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

Easy-to-Machine Impact-Resistant
Ductile Cast Iron Rods

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.

Tool Steel

Oversized Multipurpose Air-Hardening
A2 Tool Steel Rods and Discs

An oversized diameter allows for finishing to your exact requirements.

Oversized Wear-Resistant D2
Tool Steel Rods and Discs

An oversized diameter allows for finishing to your exact requirements.

Oversized Shock-Resistant
S7 Tool Steel Rods and Discs

An oversized diameter allows for finishing to your exact requirements.

Oversized Multipurpose Oil-Hardening
O1 Tool Steel Rods and Discs

An oversized diameter allows for finishing to your exact requirements.

Oversized High-Temperature H13 Tool Steel Rods

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

Stainless Steel

Multipurpose 304 Stainless Steel

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

Easy-to-Machine 303 Stainless Steel

Widely used for fabricating fittings and fasteners, 303 stainless steel machines quickly without sticking to cutting tools.

Corrosion-Resistant 316 Stainless Steel

The addition of molybdenum gives 316 stainless steel excellent corrosion resistance. Use it in a variety of marine and chemical-processing applications.

High-Strength 17-4 PH Stainless Steel

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.

Easy-to-Machine 416 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.

Bearing-Quality 440C Stainless Steel

One of the hardest types of stainless steel after heat treating, 440C offers excellent wear and abrasion resistance. It's often used for bearings, valves, and knife blades.

Wear-Resistant 410 Stainless Steel

Often used for fasteners and valves, 410 stainless steel withstands wear caused by abrasion.

Aluminum

Multipurpose 6061 Aluminum Rods and Discs

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.

High-Strength 7075 Aluminum Rods and Discs

Originally developed for aircraft frames, uses for 7075 aluminum now include keys, gears, and other high-stress parts. It is often used as a replacement for 2024 aluminum because it’s stronger and provides similar performance in all other aspects.

High-Strength 2024 Aluminum Rods and Discs

While 2024 aluminum was initially designed for structural components in aircraft, it's now widely used when a high strength-to-weight ratio is needed, such as for gears, shafts, and fasteners. It offers similar performance to 7075 aluminum, but it’s not as strong.

Copper, Brass, and Bronze

Ultra-Machinable 360 Brass Rods and Discs

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.

Multipurpose 110 Copper Rods and Discs

Offering high electrical conductivity and formability, 110 copper is 99.9% pure. Also known as ETP copper, it's often used in electrical applications, such as for bus bars and wire connectors, as well as for flashing, gaskets, and rivets.

Oversized 932 Bearing Bronze Rods

Diameter is oversized to allow for finishing.

Weldable 954 Bearing Bronze Rods

954 bronze contains a minimum of 10% aluminum for strength and weldability. It is also known as aluminum bronze. It's widely used for bearings, bushings, valve bodies, and worm gears.

Easy-to-Machine 936 Bearing Bronze Rods

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

High-Strength Machinable 955 Bronze

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

Multipurpose Plastic

Wear-Resistant Easy-to-Machine
Delrin® Acetal Resin Rods and Discs

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

Slippery Wear-Resistant Easy-to-Machine
Delrin® Acetal AF Resin Rods and Discs

The addition of PTFE provides a more slippery, wear-resistant surface than standard Delrin® acetal resin. It’s commonly fabricated into pump components, gears, and bearings.

Wear-Resistant Easy-to-Machine
Acetal Rods and Discs

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

Slippery Wear-Resistant
Easy-to-Machine Acetal Copolymer

A silicone additive gives this material a self-lubricating surface that reduces friction and extends the life of your parts.

Wear-Resistant Nylon Rods and Discs

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

MDS-Filled Easy-to-Machine
Wear-Resistant Cast Nylon Rods and Discs

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

Heat-Stabilized Easy-to-Machine
Wear-Resistant Cast Nylon Rods

Use these cast nylon 6 rods to make sheaves, bushings, and pulleys. All withstand higher temperatures and are easier to machine than standard nylon 6/6 rods.

Easy-to-Machine Wear-Resistant
Cast Nylon Rods and Discs

This cast nylon 6 material is easier to machine than other types of nylon. It’s comparable to Nylatron and Nycast.

Slippery UHMW Polyethylene Rods and Discs

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.

Antistatic Slippery UHMW Polyethylene Rods

This material suppresses static charges to prevent dust from building up.

Oil-Filled Slippery UHMW Polyethylene Rods

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

Chemical-Resistant PVC Rods and Discs

Because PVC resists many acids and alkalies, it’s widely used for tanks and in chemical-processing applications. Also known as PVC Type 1.

High-Temperature CPVC Rods

CPVC is just as chemical resistant as standard PVC Type 1 and can handle hotter temperatures up to 200° F.

Impact- and Chemical-Resistant PVC Rods

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.

Impact-Resistant Easy-to-Form ABS Rods

Because ABS maintains its toughness even after thermoforming, it’s often made into storage cases, tote trays, equipment housings, and protective gear.

Moisture-Resistant Polyethylene
(HDPE) Rods and Discs

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

Polypropylene Rods

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

Moisture-Resistant Polyester Rods

Polyester resists swelling in wet environments.

Flexible Polyethylene (LDPE) Rods

One of the softest and most flexible plastics we offer, LDPE is more formable than HDPE.

High-Temperature Plastic

Chemical-Resistant Slippery PTFE Rods and Discs

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

Recycled PTFE

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

Durable Glass-Filled
Chemical-Resistant Slippery PTFE Rods

This glass-filled PTFE is more rigid than standard PTFE for increased durability in high-stress applications.

Electrical-Insulating Ultem PEI Rods

Often used for circuit-breaker housings, manifolds, and semiconductor components, Ultem PEI offers excellent electrical-insulating properties.

Clear Scratch- and UV-Resistant Cast Acrylic Rods and Discs

Clear Scratch- and UV-Resistant
Cast Acrylic Rods and Discs

Cast acrylic is easier to machine than extruded acrylic. It's comparable to Lucite and Plexiglas® Acrylic.

Garolite

Multipurpose Flame-Retardant
Garolite G-10/FR4 Rods

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

Economical Garolite CE Rods

Garolite CE is often fabricated into parts where high strength is not required.

Glass, Mica, Ceramic, and Graphite

Easy-to-Machine Alumina-Bisque
Ceramic Rods and Discs

Often used to create prototype components, these ceramic rods and discs come semi-fired so they can be machined using conventional metalworking tools.

Low Thermal Expansion
Alumina-Silicate Ceramic Rods

Ultra-High-Temperature
Quartz Glass Rods and Discs

Able to withstand temperatures up to 2100° F, this quartz glass is useful in high-temperature applications that also require optical clarity, such as high-intensity lighting, fiber-optic production, and optical lens systems.

Borosilicate Glass Rods and Discs

Also called Pyrex and Schott glass, these glass rods and discs resist clouding and pitting and are highly chemical and heat resistant.

Pressure-Rated Borosilicate Glass Discs

Commonly used as sight glass.

Rubber

Multipurpose Neoprene Rubber Rods

The cylindrical shape fits into channels and other narrow spaces for sealing and cushioning.

Oil-Resistant Buna-N Rubber Rods

Seal and cushion narrow spaces, such as inside channels and seams.

Steel

Low-Carbon Steel Rods and Discs

High-Strength Easy-to-Machine1144 Carbon Steel Rods

Ultra-Machinable 12L14 Carbon Steel Rods

Easy-to-Machine 1215 Carbon Steel Rods

High-Strength 1045 Carbon Steel Rods and Discs

Hardened Multipurpose 4140 Alloy Steel Rods

Multipurpose 4140 Alloy Steel Rods and Discs

High-Strength 4340 Alloy Steel Rods

Easy-to-Weld Wear-Resistant 8620 Alloy Steel

Oversized Easy-to-MachineGray Cast Iron Rods and Discs

Impact-Resistant Ductile Cast Iron Rods and Discs

Easy-to-Machine Impact-ResistantDuctile Cast Iron Rods

Tool Steel

Oversized Multipurpose Air-HardeningA2 Tool Steel Rods and Discs

Oversized Wear-Resistant D2Tool Steel Rods and Discs

Oversized Shock-ResistantS7 Tool Steel Rods and Discs

Oversized Multipurpose Oil-HardeningO1 Tool Steel Rods and Discs

Oversized High-Temperature H13 Tool Steel Rods

Stainless Steel

Multipurpose 304 Stainless Steel

Easy-to-Machine 303 Stainless Steel

Corrosion-Resistant 316 Stainless Steel

High-Strength 17-4 PH Stainless Steel

Easy-to-Machine 416 Stainless Steel

Bearing-Quality 440C Stainless Steel

Wear-Resistant 410 Stainless Steel

Aluminum

Multipurpose 6061 Aluminum Rods and Discs

High-Strength 7075 Aluminum Rods and Discs

High-Strength 2024 Aluminum Rods and Discs

Copper, Brass, and Bronze

Ultra-Machinable 360 Brass Rods and Discs

Multipurpose 110 Copper Rods and Discs

Oversized 932 Bearing Bronze Rods

Weldable 954 Bearing Bronze Rods

Easy-to-Machine 936 Bearing Bronze Rods

High-Strength Machinable 955 Bronze

Multipurpose Plastic

Wear-Resistant Easy-to-MachineDelrin® Acetal Resin Rods and Discs

Slippery Wear-Resistant Easy-to-MachineDelrin® Acetal AF Resin Rods and Discs

Wear-Resistant Easy-to-MachineAcetal Rods and Discs

Slippery Wear-ResistantEasy-to-Machine Acetal Copolymer

Wear-Resistant Nylon Rods and Discs

MDS-Filled Easy-to-MachineWear-Resistant Cast Nylon Rods and Discs

Heat-Stabilized Easy-to-MachineWear-Resistant Cast Nylon Rods

Easy-to-Machine Wear-ResistantCast Nylon Rods and Discs

Slippery UHMW Polyethylene Rods and Discs

Antistatic Slippery UHMW Polyethylene Rods

Oil-Filled Slippery UHMW Polyethylene Rods

Chemical-Resistant PVC Rods and Discs

High-Temperature CPVC Rods

Impact- and Chemical-Resistant PVC Rods

Impact-Resistant Easy-to-Form ABS Rods

Moisture-Resistant Polyethylene(HDPE) Rods and Discs

Polypropylene Rods

Moisture-Resistant Polyester Rods

Flexible Polyethylene (LDPE) Rods

High-Temperature Plastic

Chemical-Resistant Slippery PTFE Rods and Discs

Recycled PTFE

Durable Glass-FilledChemical-Resistant Slippery PTFE Rods

Electrical-Insulating Ultem PEI Rods

Clear Scratch- and UV-Resistant Cast Acrylic Rods and Discs

Clear Scratch- and UV-ResistantCast Acrylic Rods and Discs

Garolite

Multipurpose Flame-RetardantGarolite G-10/FR4 Rods

Economical Garolite CE Rods

Glass, Mica, Ceramic, and Graphite

Easy-to-Machine Alumina-BisqueCeramic Rods and Discs

Low Thermal ExpansionAlumina-Silicate Ceramic Rods

Ultra-High-TemperatureQuartz Glass Rods and Discs

Borosilicate Glass Rods and Discs

Pressure-Rated Borosilicate Glass Discs

Rubber

Multipurpose Neoprene Rubber Rods

Oil-Resistant Buna-N Rubber Rods

High-Strength Easy-to-Machine
1144 Carbon Steel Rods

Oversized Easy-to-Machine
Gray Cast Iron Rods and Discs

Easy-to-Machine Impact-Resistant
Ductile Cast Iron Rods

Oversized Multipurpose Air-Hardening
A2 Tool Steel Rods and Discs

Oversized Wear-Resistant D2
Tool Steel Rods and Discs

Oversized Shock-Resistant
S7 Tool Steel Rods and Discs

Oversized Multipurpose Oil-Hardening
O1 Tool Steel Rods and Discs

Wear-Resistant Easy-to-Machine
Delrin® Acetal Resin Rods and Discs

Slippery Wear-Resistant Easy-to-Machine
Delrin® Acetal AF Resin Rods and Discs

Wear-Resistant Easy-to-Machine
Acetal Rods and Discs

Slippery Wear-Resistant
Easy-to-Machine Acetal Copolymer

MDS-Filled Easy-to-Machine
Wear-Resistant Cast Nylon Rods and Discs

Heat-Stabilized Easy-to-Machine
Wear-Resistant Cast Nylon Rods

Easy-to-Machine Wear-Resistant
Cast Nylon Rods and Discs

Moisture-Resistant Polyethylene
(HDPE) Rods and Discs

Durable Glass-Filled
Chemical-Resistant Slippery PTFE Rods

Clear Scratch- and UV-Resistant
Cast Acrylic Rods and Discs

Multipurpose Flame-Retardant
Garolite G-10/FR4 Rods

Easy-to-Machine Alumina-Bisque
Ceramic Rods and Discs

Low Thermal Expansion
Alumina-Silicate Ceramic Rods

Ultra-High-Temperature
Quartz Glass Rods and Discs