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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!
Get an Instant Quote440C stainless steel is a high-carbon martensitic stainless steel known for its excellent hardness, wear resistance, and moderate corrosion resistance. It is widely used in knives, surgical instruments, and precision CNC machined parts. Combining strength and durability, 440C stainless steel offers a cost-effective solution for demanding applications.
420 stainless steel is a hardenable martensitic steel known for high wear resistance, while 316 stainless steel is an austenitic grade with excellent corrosion resistance. Choose 420 for cutting tools and wear parts; select 316 for marine, chemical, or medical applications.
True white anodizing isn’t feasible because anodic pores don’t accept white dye and the oxide’s light-scattering makes whites look gray or chalky. Instead, use powder coating, electrophoretic coating, or PEO/ceramic finishes for durable white on aluminum parts, then specify sealing and gloss to match appearance and corrosion targets.
Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) or plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) creates thicker, harder, and more wear-resistant ceramic coatings compared to anodizing. While anodizing is ideal for cost-effective corrosion protection, MAO offers superior durability, thermal resistance, and adhesion, making it more suitable for high-performance CNC machined parts.
420 SS is a grade of Stainless Steel that has good hardness, wear resistance and moderate corrosion resistance. It can be heat treated which means you can harden and temper it to get the exact strength and properties you need. It’s a customizable choice for many applications.
Yes, cast iron is magnetic due to its high iron content and ferromagnetic atomic structure. However, its magnetism varies with type—gray, white, ductile, or alloyed cast iron—and environmental factors like temperature or impurities. Cast iron can attract magnets, but its strength depends on composition and processing.
Some iron oxides are magnetic. Magnetite (Fe₃O₄) is strongly magnetic; maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) is ferrimagnetic but weaker; common rust (α-Fe₂O₃ hematite) is weakly magnetic at room temperature. Knowing which oxide you have prevents contamination, measurement errors, and rework in CNC machining services and CNC machining factories.
Micro-Arc Oxidation (MAO), also called Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO), is an advanced surface treatment that uses high-voltage plasma discharges in an electrolyte bath to form a hard, ceramic-like oxide coating on metals such as aluminum, magnesium, and titanium. This process enhances hardness, corrosion resistance, and wear properties, making it ideal for CNC machined parts.
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