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Material Selection Guide
If you are new to laser cut sheet metal, CNC cut composites, and fabrication, we’ve created this guide to help you select the right material for your project.
Please keep in mind that this list is not all-inclusive, but it should help point you in the right direction. Our team of Application Engineers is always available to help answer questions too, email us anytime – support@sendcutsend.com
Placement: Outdoors
| Material | Recommended | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | | Aluminum will do well outside, but will turn a dull grey and oxidize over time |
| Brass | Not recommended outdoors unless coated or polished. Will patina and tarnish easily. | |
| Copper | Copper is great for decorative outdoor use if you prefer a green patina | |
| Cor-Ten Steel | | Cor-Ten is a special alloy designed to last virtually forever outside. It develops a rusty patina that protects it indefinitely. |
| Mild Steel | Mild steel will rust quickly if left uncoated. | |
| Stainless Steel | | Our preferred material for outdoor applications when no coating will be applied |
| Carbon Fiber | Not recommend for long term outdoor use since UV rays can damage the composite | |
| ACM | | Excellent for signage |
| Titanium | | Very stable, will not corrode or patina. |
Usage: Signage or Decoration
| Material | Recommended | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Aluminum is relatively soft and flexible, and will turn a dull grey if left uncoated. | |
| Brass | | Brass is great for decorative use. We recommend adding a clear coat or polish to prevent patina. |
| Birch | | Birch is perfect for cabinetry, art, and craftwork. |
| Copper | | Copper is great for decorative use. We recommend adding a clear coat or polish to prevent patina. |
| Cor-Ten Steel | | Cor-Ten is a special alloy designed to last virtually forever outside. It develops a rusty patina that protects it indefinitely. |
| Mild Steel | Mild steel will rust quickly if left uncoated. | |
| Stainless Steel | | Our preferred material for signage and decorative items that will not be painted or coated. |
| Carbon Fiber | Cost-prohibitive for decorative uses. | |
| ACM | | Excellent for signage. |
| Titanium | Cost-prohibitive for decorative uses. |
Usage: High Strength
| Material | Recommended | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | | This plastic has great impacta nd abrasion resistance, high tensile strength and heat and chemical resistance. |
| Aluminum (6061, 7075) | | 6061 and 7075 series Aluminum is much stronger and stiffer than our standard 5052 series. 7075 Aluminum is comparable to titanium for strength. |
| Brass | Brass is great for decorative use, but is very soft and ductile. Not recommended for any application subject to load or bending forces. | |
| Copper | Copper is great for decorative use, but is very soft and ductile. Not recommended for any application subject to load or bending forces. | |
| Cor-Ten Steel | Similar in strength to standard mild steel (A36). | |
| Delrin® 150 | High strength, great abarasion resistance, yet is still machinable. | |
| Mild Steel (4130, AR500) | | Our 4130 series and AR500 steel are very high strength and offer significant advantages over standard mild steel (A36). |
| Stainless Steel | | Significantly stronger than mild steel, with increased weight. Will not corrode or rust. |
| Carbon Fiber | | Our highest strength-to-weight material. Incredibly strong and rigid. Not recommended for use in temperatures over 140 degrees F. |
| ACM | Not recommended for high-strength or load-bearing applications. | |
| Titanium | | One of our highest strength-to-weight materials. Incredibly strong and rigid. |
Still not sure which material to use?
Try out our random sample pack! We’ll include a random assortment of our most popular materials, in a variety of thicknesses.