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The VMT blog is dedicated to sharing our hard-earned knowledge in prototype manufacturing. We hope these articles will help you optimize your product designs and gain deeper insight into the world of rapid prototyping. Enjoy the read!
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2026 02 28 At a quick glance, you might find it impossible to distinguish between 440C stainless steel and 304 stainless steel. They both possess that classic metallic luster associated with “typical stainless steel appearance". However, beneath the surface, these two stainless steels are worlds apart. Their chemical structures and composition, mechanical properties, ways of increasing strength and hardness, and cost profiles are quite different.
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VMT 2026 02 27 Machinability of a material influences whether the material being machined into the parts is easy or not. For example, the free cutting brass (UNS C36000) has excellent machinability, with a machinability rating of 100%; that is, the machinability rating of all other copper-based alloys, and even steel, is based on this standard. Thus, this 100% machinability rating UNS C36000 brass is quite excellent for high-speed CNC machining and automatic lathes due to its low cutting resistance; This results in very short and brittle chips, making it easy to manufacture various parts. But for some easy to be confused concepts like machinability vs. formability vs. workability, how is machinability measured, factors influencing machinability, and common metals' machinability rating, these questions are what this article shares about.
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VMT 2026 02 26 From kitchenware(like SS304 containers or SS401 knives), to automotive components(like SS304 exhaust piping or SS401 gears), stainless steel 401 and 304 are two popular materials among many industries; But if you look at their physical appearance, you can hardly tell these two stainless steels. Stainless steel 401 and 304 belong to entirely different families—martensitic and austenitic—and chemical composition are also different ; these lead to vast differences in magnetism, hardness, heat resistance, cost ,etc. This article will give you a comprehensive understanding of what the 401 and 304 stainless steels are and their key differences in properties, environmental performance, and cost efficiency.
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VMT 2026 02 25 304 stainless steel as the most commonly used material among food facilities(food grade; easy to clean), piping and container(easy to shape and good weldability), custom nozzles, gear, and fasteners( can be CNC-machined although bad machinability), low-temperature liquid nitrogen storage tank high-temperature kitchenware(stable austenitic structure and strength under high and low temperature), building railings and stair accessories(good impact resistance). But for this SS304 , there are still some questions like cost, property details, alternative materials, and other advantages or disadvantages to figure out; and in this ultimate guide, you will get 19 of the most common—and often confusing—questions about 304 stainless steel to help you make informed decisions.
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VMT 2026 02 24 401 stainless steel is a high-strength, cost-effective martensitic grade. Its unique combination of high tensile strength, wear resistance through heat treatment, and excellent thermal stability makes it a preferred choice for demanding automotive and aerospace applications, such as exhaust manifolds, gears, and turbine blades. Thanks to its low nickel content, 401 is significantly more affordable than 304 austenitic stainless steel. Furthermore, its magnetic properties, reliable weldability, and superior machinability in the annealed state ensure minimal industrial limitations. In this guide, we will explore the chemical composition, heat treatment and its mechanical property changes, and cost-efficiency of 401 stainless steel to provide a valuable reference for your engineering and manufacturing needs.
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VMT 2026 02 23 Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) — frequently occurring in metals such as cartridge brass, 7075-T6 aluminum, and austenitic stainless steel (SS304) — is a phenomenon where materials or finished components can fail abruptly under high temperatures or chemical environments like chloride exposure. These cracks can be insidious; some remain internal and completely invisible to the naked eye. Understanding which materials are prone to SCC, which offer superior stability, and how to effectively detect and prevent these failures is critical for your engineering design and manufacturing success. Read on to dive deep into the essentials of Stress Corrosion Cracking.
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VMT 2026 02 21 Strain hardening (also known as work hardening) are the phenomenon that: if you are machining the metal in an inappropriate way, then there will be the situation that localized plastic deformation occurs on the surface of the part, resulting in a hardened layer; the other is refer to strain hardening metal like aluminum or the steel such as aluminum 5052-H32 or cold rolled steel 1018. In this article, you will gain a clear understanding of strain hardening basics and equation, how it works, strain hardening metal examples; how their strength changes, and how to manage strain hardening during CNC machining.
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VMT 2026 02 19 Many high-volume industrial components begin their life through a process known as cold forming. Whether it is the general fasteners, electronic parts, or the intricate gears and valves for automotive industry, this cold forming plays a vital role in producing high-strength parts with good utilization of metal material. This article will introduce the cold forming processes, suitable cold forming metal materials, its difference from sheet metal fabrication and hot forging, and why you may need CNC machining for secondary refining your cold form parts.
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