# Aluminum ## CNC CNC Aluminum, also known as Milled Aluminum, Machined Aluminium, CNC Aluminum, Aluminium Machining ### Material Info #### About CNC Aluminum is a precision-machined metal available in three structural grades, produced using multi-axis CNC milling from certified aluminum stock. It delivers tight dimensional tolerances, excellent surface quality, and the full mechanical properties of the alloy — making it the right choice for functional prototypes, end-use parts, jigs and fixtures, and structural components where dimensional accuracy and material integrity are non-negotiable. Available with a range of surface finishes including anodizing and powder coating. For grade selection advice or finish questions, reach out to [sales@shapeways.com](mailto:sales@shapeways.com). For a full grade comparison, download the [Grade Overview Sheet](/content/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SW_MPS_AL_Summary.pdf). | Grade | Alloy | Tensile Strength | Yield Strength | Corrosion Resistance | Weldability | Primary Use | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **5083** | AlMg4,5Mn | 270–350 MPa | 125 MPa | Excellent | Excellent | Marine, offshore, cryogenic | | **6082** | AlMgSi1 | 310 MPa min | 260 MPa | Good | Good | General structural, transport | | **7075** | AlZnMgCu1,5 | 503 MPa min | 435 MPa | Low — anodize recommended | Not recommended | Aerospace, defense, high-load | ### Color & Finishes **5083, 6082, 7075** SIlver **5083, 6082, 7075** Black **5083, 6082** Contact Sales">Custom [Contact Sales](/content/business/additive-manufacturing#contactsales/index.html) **As-Machined** Our standard finish, direct from the cutting tool with a clean machined surface at Ra 3.2 μm. **Anodized** A Type II anodized finish that adds a clear protective oxide layer, improving corrosion resistance and surface hardness — available in natural (clear/silver) and black. **Powder Coating** A durable polymer coating cured in an oven, available in any RAL colour — specify your required colour in the order notes. **Fine Machined Finish** A finer surface finish of Ra 1.6 μm is readily available on request — add your required Ra value and the surfaces it applies to in the order notes. ### Technology - CNC [SW_MPS_AL_5083](/content/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SW_MPS_AL_5083.pdf) [SW_MPS_AL_6082](/content/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SW_MPS_AL_6082.pdf) [SW_MPS_AL_7075](/content/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SW_MPS_AL_7075.pdf) [SW_MPS_AL_Summary](/content/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SW_MPS_AL_Summary.pdf) [SW_REF_CNC_Tolerances_mK](/content/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SW_REF_CNC_Tolerances_mK.pdf) ### Material Properties - **Tensile Strength (Rm)** — EN 485-2 - 5083: 270–350 MPa - 6082: 310 MPa min - 7075: 503 MPa min - **Yield Strength (Rp0.2)** — EN 485-2 - 5083: 125 MPa - 6082: 260 MPa - 7075: 435 MPa - **Hardness (Brinell, ISO 6506)** - 5083: ~75 HB - 6082: ~95 HB - 7075: ~150 HB - **Density** - 5083: 2.66 g/cm³ - 6082: 2.71 g/cm³ - 7075: 2.81 g/cm³ - **Elastic Modulus** - ~70 GPa (all grades) ### Description Material Highlights High-strength precision-machined aluminum in three grades, covering marine through aerospace applications. Corrosion Resistance 5083: Excellent · 6082: Good · 7075: Low (anodizing recommended) Weldability 5083 & 6082: MIG/TIG weldable · 7075: Not suitable for fusion welding Applications Marine structures, transport, aerospace components, defence, precision tooling, industrial fixtures. ## Design Guidelines ### Bounding Box **Maximum Bounding Box** 3-axe: 480 x 280 x 80mm 5-axe: 480 x 180x 80mm **Minimum Bounding Box** X + Y + Z > 12 mm The bounding box is a 3D imaginary outline of a box that encloses the smallest area occupied by your model. Your model must be within the minimum and maximum bounding box sizes. If the size of the model is close to the maximum bounding box, then the printing orientation will be restricted. ### Walls **Supported Walls** Minimum wall thickness: **0.8 mm**. Recommended: **1.5 mm** or greater. **Unsupported Walls** Minimum wall thickness: **1.5 mm**. Recommended: **2.5 mm** or greater. A supported wall is connected at least on two sides of the wall, while an unsupported wall is connected only on one side of the wall. Walls that do not meet the minimum requirements may not survive printing and cleaning processes. Additionally, models may still be rejected based on the wall geometry of the model. Please consider the size of your model and reinforce the walls or add support structures as needed as minimum guidelines will not always be adequate for large models. ### Wires **Supported Wires** Minimum feature width: **0.8 mm**. Recommended: **1.5 mm** or greater. **Unsupported Wires** Minimum feature width: **1.5 mm**. Recommended: **2.0 mm** or greater. A wire is a circular, rectangular or even triangular feature that is thinner in its unconnected directions than its length. A supported wire is connected at least on two sides of the model, while an unsupported wire is connected on one side of the model. Wires that do not meet the minimum requirements may not survive printing and cleaning processes. Additionally, models may still be rejected based on the wire geometry of the model. Please consider the size of your model and reinforce the wires or add support structures as needed as minimum guidelines will not always be adequate for large models. ### Clearance **Minimum** Minimum clearance between separate features: **0.2 mm**. For assemblies or press-fit features, specify the required fit class (e.g. H7/h6) in your technical drawing. Clearance is the space between two individual parts in a model. If the space among the individual parts do not meet the minimum clearance, then parts can fuse together or can be difficult to clean. This is important for movable pieces like hinges, gears, etc. ### Interlocking & Enclosed Parts **Interlocking** No **Enclosed** No ### Parts in File 1 ### Accuracy Where no tolerance is specified, parts are manufactured to **DIN ISO 2768-mK** (fine class general tolerances) as standard — see our [CNC Tolerance Reference Sheet](/content/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SW_REF_CNC_Tolerances_mK.pdf) for full details. For tighter or specific tolerances, attach a technical drawing with the required tolerances clearly called out ## Related Materials Strong and Rigid, Engineering Plastic, CNC Machined, POM-C, Polyoxymethylene (Acetal), Delrin® ### POM-C Professional Smooth Finish High Strength, Durability Chemical resistance Low moisture absorption High Accuracy **Application:** POM-C is a popular choice for gears, jigs, fixtures, bushings, enclosures, and sliding parts, especially where wear-resistance, tight tolerances, and moisture insensitivity are key. [Learn More →](/content/materials/pom-c/index.html) CNC Stainless Steel, also known as Machined Stainless, Milled Stainless Steel, AISI 304, AISI 316L, EN 1.4301, EN 1.4404, RVS, SS304, SS316L ### Stainless Steel High Strength, Durability High ductility Very high stiffness High Accuracy **Application:** Functional parts, structural components, marine hardware, food processing equipment, pharmaceutical machinery, medical devices, chemical processing, architectural components. [Learn More →](/content/materials/stainless-steel-new/index.html)