English
What Are Aluminum Machined Parts?
Aluminum machined parts are precision components manufactured through subtractive machining processes such as CNC Milling, turning, or drilling. These parts are crafted from high-grade aluminum alloys (e.g., 6061-T6, 7075-T6, or 2024-T3) to achieve tight tolerances (typically ±0.005" or better) and surface finishes as fine as 32 µin Ra. Key characteristics include:
Lightweight: Density of 2.7 g/cm³ (approximately 1/3 of steel)
High Strength-to-Weight Ratio: 6061-T6 yields 40,000 psi tensile strength
Corrosion Resistance: Natural oxide layer provides 0.002-0.003" passive protection
Thermal Conductivity: 167 W/m·K (4x better than steel)
Electrical Conductivity: 35-40% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard)
Machinability: 80% rating on the machinability index (vs. 100% for free-cutting brass)
Applications of Aluminum Machined Parts
These components serve critical functions across Industries due to their unique properties:
Aerospace
Structural airframe components (e.g., wing ribs, bulkheads) made from 7075-T6 aluminum withstand fatigue loads up to 75,000 cycles at 30 ksi stress. Fuel system parts maintain leak-proof performance at -65°F to 250°F operational ranges.
Automotive
Engine blocks and transmission housings utilize A380 die-cast aluminum (3.0-4.0% Cu content) for heat dissipation up to 400°F. Suspension components achieve 50% weight reduction versus steel while maintaining 25 kN load capacity.
Electronics
Heat sinks with fin densities of 15-20 fins/inch provide thermal resistance values below 0.5°C/W. RF shielding enclosures maintain 60-80 dB attenuation from 1 MHz to 10 GHz frequencies.
Medical
Surgical instrument components meet ISO 13485 standards with biocompatible anodized coatings (Type II, 0.0005-0.001" thickness). Imaging equipment frames demonstrate<0.1% dimensional="" variation="" across="" 68-86="">
Industrial
Pneumatic system manifolds handle 150 psi working pressures with<0.001" flatness="" tolerances.="" robotic="" arm="" linkages="" maintain="" positional="" accuracy="" within="">
Maintenance Best Practices
Proper care extends service life and maintains performance:
Cleaning Procedures
Use pH-neutral cleaners (6.5-7.5 range) to prevent oxide layer damage
Ultrasonic clean at 40-60 kHz for 5-10 minutes to remove particulate<25µm<>
Isopropyl alcohol (70-99% concentration) for degreasing without residue
Corrosion Prevention
Apply MIL-DTL-5541 Type II chromate conversion coating for salt spray resistance >500 hours
Anodize to 0.002" thickness (MIL-A-8625 Type III) for maximum wear resistance
Store at<60% relative="" humidity="" with="" vci="">
Lubrication
Moving parts: Use PTFE-based lubricants with viscosity 50-100 cSt at 40°C
Threaded components: Apply molybdenum disulfide grease (2-5% concentration)
High-temp applications: Choose silicone-based lubricants stable to 400°F
Inspection Protocols
Measure critical dimensions quarterly with CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) accuracy of ±0.0002"
Conduct dye penetrant testing annually to detect cracks >0.001" in width
Monitor surface roughness with profilometers (16 µin Ra maximum deviation)
Storage Conditions
Maintain ambient temperature of 59-77°F (15-25°C)
Separate dissimilar metals by minimum 12" to prevent galvanic corrosion
Use closed-cell foam padding with 30-50 psi compression resistance
