Our team has years of experience working with 6061 aluminum, 7075 aluminum, 4140 steel, stainless steel, titanium, Delrin, and brass. Each has its own strengths, and each fits different applications.
Materials
At Ardel Engineering, the success of every project begins with the right material. Whether you’re building aerospace components, medical devices, or precision parts for industrial use, the material selected plays a big role in performance, reliability, and long-term value. That’s why we offer machining services across a wide range of metals and plastics.
Aluminum Alloys for Precision Machining
6061 Aluminum
6061 aluminum is a favorite among engineers and manufacturers. It’s known for its excellent machinability, corrosion resistance, and ability to hold strength while remaining lightweight. This makes it a reliable choice across many industries.
At Ardel, we’ve machined 6061 aluminum for aerospace brackets, automotive frames, electronic housings, and structural parts. The versatility of this alloy is hard to beat. If you need strength without adding weight, 6061 aluminum is often the right choice.
7075 Aluminum
If you need more strength than 6061, 7075 aluminum is often the better option. It’s a high-strength alloy with excellent fatigue resistance, which makes it perfect for critical aerospace and defense parts. While it is harder to machine than 6061, our team has the equipment and expertise to handle it without issue.
You’ll often find 7075 aluminum in aircraft structures, defense hardware, and high-stress tooling. When performance is the priority and every ounce matters, 7075 aluminum delivers.
Steels and Specialty Alloys
4140 Steel
4140 steel is a chromium-molybdenum alloy steel that stands out for toughness, wear resistance, and fatigue strength. It’s widely used in aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications. Parts like gears, shafts, bolts, and heavy-duty machinery components often rely on 4140 steel to perform under pressure.
Because of its durability, 4140 steel can be more challenging to machine compared to softer alloys. At Ardel, we’re experienced in handling it with precision, ensuring every part meets your design specifications.
Stainless Steel (Including 17-4 PH)
Stainless steel is a material that almost everyone recognizes, but in manufacturing, not all grades are equal. The stainless steels we work with, including 17-4 PH, are known for strength and corrosion resistance. These properties make stainless a common choice in medical devices, aerospace fasteners, and industrial equipment.
Whether you need a part that can withstand chemical exposure or one that requires consistent performance under stress, stainless steel is often a reliable answer.
Plastics and Specialty Materials
Delrin (Acetal)
Not all parts call for metal. Delrin, also known as acetal, is a plastic that provides strength, dimensional stability, and low friction. It’s often used in precision mechanical assemblies, gears, bushings, and electrical housings.
At Ardel, we machine Delrin to exact tolerances, giving you lightweight parts that can still handle demanding use.
Titanium
Few materials carry the reputation that titanium does. It’s strong, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant. These qualities make it a preferred material in aerospace and medical applications where performance can’t be compromised.
Whether for jet engine parts, defense systems, or surgical implants, titanium machining requires expertise. We have the experience and equipment needed to handle its challenges.
Brass
Brass is valued for its excellent machinability and natural corrosion resistance. It’s also electrically conductive, which makes it a common choice for connectors, fittings, and electrical components. Beyond its technical advantages, brass is also chosen for decorative parts thanks to its clean, polished finish.
Industries and Applications of Our Materials
Every industry has specific demands, and each material we machine plays a role in meeting those needs. Here’s how the materials we specialize in fit into different markets:
Aerospace & Defense:
- 6061 aluminum for lightweight aircraft brackets and housings.
- 7075 aluminum for high-strength aerospace fasteners and structural parts.
- Titanium for jet engine components and defense hardware.
- 4140 steel for landing gear, gears, and aerospace machinery parts.
Medical Devices & Equipment:
- Stainless steel for surgical tools, implants, and diagnostic equipment.
- Delrin for gears, bushings, and precision plastic components.
- Titanium for biocompatible implants and medical instruments.
Automotive & Transportation:
- 6061 aluminum for frames, structural parts, and engine components.
- 4140 steel for axles, crankshafts, and high-strength parts.
- Brass for fittings, connectors, and electrical components.
Electronics & Communications:
- Brass for connectors, terminals, and precision fittings.
- Delrin for housings, insulators, and lightweight components.
- Aluminum alloys for enclosures and protective frames.
Industrial & Commercial:
- 4140 steel for gears, shafts, and heavy-duty machinery parts.
- 6061 aluminum for machine frames, tooling, and structural parts.
- Stainless steel for valves, fasteners, and components in corrosive environments.
Why Material Selection Matters
The choice of material affects performance, longevity, and cost. Picking between 6061 aluminum and 7075 aluminum often comes down to balancing machinability against strength. Choosing between stainless steel and 4140 steel may depend on whether corrosion resistance or toughness is the priority.
At Ardel Engineering, we don’t just machine parts — we work with you to help identify the right material for your project. That way, the finished part performs exactly as intended, whether it needs to handle extreme stress, resist wear, or meet tight weight restrictions.
Quality, Compliance, and Industries Served
Working with critical industries means materials must meet strict requirements. Ardel Engineering holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and is ITAR registered, giving customers confidence that their parts are manufactured to meet quality and regulatory standards.
Our inspection and testing capabilities verify that every batch of material and every finished part meets design and performance expectations. From aerospace to medical to defense, companies trust us because we deliver consistent results.
Need Parts That Last? Start With the Right Material, Start With Us
Whether your project calls for the versatility of 6061 aluminum, the strength of 7075 aluminum, or the toughness of 4140 steel, Ardel Engineering has the expertise to machine your parts with precision. Our team is ready to work with you on selecting the right material, machining it to your specifications, and delivering parts that are reliable, accurate, and ready for use.
Contact us today to discuss your next project and learn how we can help bring it to life with the right material and machining expertise.
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