Materials in Manufacturing
Click on a material to learn more about its use in manufacturing:
Aluminum
Usage: Aircraft components, automotive parts, building structures, and consumer goods such as cans and foils.
Reason: Aluminum is known for its lightweight, strength, corrosion resistance, and recyclability. It’s also easy to shape, which makes it ideal for applications where weight reduction is crucial, such as aerospace and automotive industries. In the construction industry, aluminum is used in windows, doors, and roofing due to its durability and low maintenance requirements.
Stainless Steel
Usage: Used in food processing equipment, medical instruments, kitchen appliances, and industrial piping systems.
Reason: Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and staining, which makes it ideal for environments where hygiene and cleanliness are crucial, such as in medical and food processing applications. It also has excellent strength, temperature tolerance, and aesthetic appeal, making it a popular choice in both structural and decorative applications.
Carbon Steel
Usage: Structural steel beams, automotive body panels, and shipbuilding materials.
Reason: Carbon steel is valued for its strength and toughness, especially in construction and heavy machinery. It’s more cost-effective than other steel types but requires additional protection against corrosion. Carbon steel is also used in various tools, such as cutting and drilling equipment, due to its high wear resistance and hardness.
Brass
Usage: Used in musical instruments, plumbing fittings, electrical connectors, and decorative items.
Reason: Brass is appreciated for its corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and attractive gold-like appearance. It’s often used in situations requiring low friction, such as locks, gears, and bearings. In addition, brass is easily machinable and has good acoustic properties, which is why it’s used in musical instruments like trumpets and saxophones.
Copper
Usage: Electrical wiring, plumbing, roofing, and heat exchangers in HVAC systems.
Reason: Copper’s excellent conductivity makes it the standard material for electrical wiring. Its thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and antimicrobial properties also make it essential in plumbing and HVAC systems. Copper is easy to work with and recyclable, which adds to its sustainability in manufacturing.
Titanium
Usage: Aerospace components, medical implants, chemical processing equipment, and sporting goods.
Reason: Titanium’s high strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to extreme temperatures and corrosion make it ideal for aerospace, military, and industrial applications. It’s also biocompatible, which makes it perfect for medical implants like hip replacements and dental implants. Despite being expensive, titanium’s unique properties make it irreplaceable in many high-performance applications.
Inconel
Usage: Jet engines, gas turbines, nuclear reactors, and exhaust systems.
Reason: Inconel alloys are known for their ability to withstand extreme heat and corrosion, even in harsh environments. This makes them ideal for high-temperature applications such as turbine blades and heat exchangers. Inconel maintains its strength and stability across a wide range of temperatures, making it invaluable in the aerospace and energy sectors.
Acrylic
Usage: Windows, lenses, aquariums, and display cases.
Reason: Acrylic, also known as Plexiglas, is valued for its optical clarity and lightweight properties. It’s commonly used as a shatter-resistant alternative to glass in applications such as safety barriers, aquariums, and skylights. Acrylic is easy to shape and form, making it versatile for both functional and decorative purposes.
Polycarbonate
Usage: Bulletproof glass, safety goggles, electrical components, and compact discs.
Reason: Polycarbonate is known for its impact resistance, transparency, and lightweight properties. It’s frequently used in protective gear such as helmets, visors, and eyewear. Its ability to withstand high impact makes it suitable for safety applications, while its optical clarity makes it a preferred material for lenses and screens.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Usage: Toys (e.g., Lego bricks), automotive parts, consumer electronics housings, and piping systems.
Reason: ABS is a strong, lightweight, and durable plastic. Its versatility and ease of molding make it a popular choice in 3D printing, and it is widely used for injection-molded products such as computer keyboards, dashboards, and helmets. ABS is tough and resistant to impact, making it suitable for high-wear items.
Nylon
Usage: Bearings, gears, conveyor belts, and clothing fibers.
Reason: Nylon is a versatile engineering plastic known for its wear resistance, strength, and flexibility. It’s often used in mechanical applications like gears and bearings, where durability and low friction are essential. Nylon is also a popular choice for textiles due to its elasticity, moisture resistance, and abrasion resistance.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Usage: Plumbing pipes, electrical cable insulation, flooring, and signage.
Reason: PVC is one of the most widely used plastics in construction due to its durability, chemical resistance, and low cost. It’s commonly used for pipes, insulation, and window frames. PVC is also available in both rigid and flexible forms, making it versatile across various applications such as signage, flooring, and inflatable products.
Delrin (POM - Polyoxymethylene)
Usage: High-precision parts, gears, bearings, fasteners, and automotive components.
Reason: Delrin is a high-performance acetal resin known for its stiffness, low friction, and excellent dimensional stability. It’s widely used in industries that require high-precision machining for parts that undergo mechanical stress, such as gears, bushings, and valves. Its low friction and wear resistance make it ideal for components that require smooth, consistent operation.
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone)
Usage: Medical implants, aerospace components, high-performance automotive parts, and chemical processing equipment.
Reason: PEEK is a high-performance thermoplastic with excellent mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and the ability to withstand high temperatures. It’s used in demanding applications such as aerospace and automotive parts, where reliability under extreme conditions is essential. PEEK is also biocompatible, making it suitable for medical implants and devices.