If you’ve cut plastic before, you know that finding the best tool for cutting plastic can be challenging. Cutting plastic is not just about getting the job done. You need to find the right tool, so you can cut safely and get a good clean cut.

The mechanical properties of aluminum make it ideal for mechanical applications. Despite being lightweight, this material has very high strength.

Aluminum grades have different resistance to corrosion. However, the most popular ones used for CNC machined aluminum parts are exceptionally corrosion resistant in atmospheric and marine conditions. A typical example is aluminum 6061.

The 7xxx series is popular for strength, containing zinc as the primary alloying element. It also contains a good amount of copper, chromium, and magnesium. The strong aluminum alloys in the 7xxx series are popular for aerospace applications due to their high strength.

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You will find it in towers, bridges, and other construction works. However, it will be best for product designers to note that it is difficult to make thin walls with this alloy.

However, it is always best to have professional hands working with you. AT’s team of experienced and highly-skilled engineers and designers are always ready to make material selection easier for your product team. We aim to help you achieve the best machining results.

It is very versatile, easily machinable, and has various heat treatments. This all-purpose material is applicable in an extensive array of applications. However, it is not ideal for high-stress applications despite its excellent strength-to-weight ratio.

The major alloying element in this series is copper. Thus, many people refer to them as “copper alloys.” The 2xxx series has excellent machinability with similar mechanical properties as mild steel. The addition of copper to this alloy series gives them poor corrosion resistance. They are popular choices in making aerospace parts.

How tocut hard plasticwith Dremel

Silicon is the primary alloying element in the 4xxx series. This element lowers its melting point significantly. However, it does not cause brittleness. The unique characteristics of this series make them useful in welding wire. They are also often appealing options for architectural applications.

This process results in highly accurate and high-precision machined parts. The availability of numerous grades of aluminum and its high machinability makes it very useful in machining applications. Its low cost also makes it ideal for prototyping and custom tooling.

It is not enough for you to know the different aluminum alloys available for machining. Instead, proper knowledge of their machinability will help you choose the suable type for your applications. Some of the factors you should consider include:

Cutting brittle hard plastic with the wrong tool can result in a fractured or broken edge. Using a saw or a piece of string depends on the size of the cut, cut direction, and the level of precision.

To save you the trouble, the picture below contains a table that summarizes the properties of available alloys for quick reference. Take a look:

The 1xxx series contains 99% pure aluminum by weight. Members of the 1xxx series are highly ductile with high thermal and electrical conductivity.

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The major alloying elements in the 5xxx series is magnesium and manganese. These elements ensure excellent formability and high tensile strength. Alloys in this grade are also corrosion-resistant.

How tocutthroughhard plastic

A word of advice: Always take the proper precautions when cutting plastic. Secure the sheet of plastic to your workstation with a vice to ensure it won’t shift during cutting, and wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from stray pieces of acrylic or polycarbonate. Call a professional if you don’t feel comfortable taking on the project yourself, or if you don’t have the proper tools for the job.

5083-T6 aluminum is renowned for its excellent performance in extreme conditions. This aluminum grade is very resistant to corrosion in marine and chemical environments.

This alloy has an extensive range of applications in the aerospace and military industries. Some metal parts produced include aircraft fittings, fuse parts, missile arts, etc. Other applications include mold tool manufacturing, bicycle parts, hand glider, golf clubs, rock climbing equipment, and more.

The fundamental benefits of using aluminum for the machining process apply to all the alloys. These unique advantages make them suitable for CNC milling and other manufacturing processes. They include:

There are thousands of aluminum alloys available. However, some variants are more valuable than others. The most common alloys are classified into series according to their main alloying element. Each of these series possesses similar properties. They include the following:

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Aluminum machining is widely used due to the properties and benefits of aluminum. CNC machining aluminum alloys make the process even more seamless.

Best saw for cuttingplastic

Slice® manufactures some of the safest utility knives on the market. For cutting through thin plastic, we recommend our range of utility knives, including the 10558 Smart-Retracting Utility Knife, the 10554 Auto-Retractable Utility Knife, or the 10550 Manual Utility Knife.

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The ease of shaping complex parts makes the job faster, leading to a less expensive process. Moreover, CNC milling machines can easily meet tight tolerances for accuracy and repeatability.

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This is the most versatile series of aluminum alloys. Magnesium and silicon are their major alloying elements, and they can be heat treated. A popular member of the class is the Aluminum 6061 alloy, which comes in sheets, plates, and extrusions.

Here are three different techniques for cutting plastic, depending on the thickness of the material and the desired style of cut.

The best tool for cutting hard plastic is a saw or a piece of string. Hard plastic can be thin or thick but differs from the rest because of its brittleness. Hard plastic examples include plastic pegs and plastic toys.

The 3xxx series boasts excellent formability, thanks to manganese – the main alloying element. Generally, these aluminum alloys cannot be heat treated. Thus, they are ideal as general-purpose alloys for moderate-strength applications.

A combination of both characteristics describes the strength-to-weight ratio. The high strength-to-weight ratio of aluminum makes it ideal for automotive and aerospace parts.

It also has good thermal conductivity and excellent weldability. Its high strength and exceptional resistance to corrosion make it a great option for several applications.

While there are plenty of options to choose from, only a few aluminum alloys are effective for CNC machining. From our experience, here are the four most popular aluminum alloys for aluminum machining:

Using the wrong tool can result in a poor cut, and can also be dangerous. Before we get into the best tool for cutting plastic, here are some of the worst tools for cutting plastic.

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However, there are some drawbacks to this allow. It is less resistant to corrosion and less ductile than most other grades. Aluminum 7075-T6 can also be relatively more expensive in some production cases.

How tocutthroughplastic

When you wish to make curved or rounded cuts in plastic, a jigsaw is your best bet, whether you’re working with thin or thick sheets. Ideally, you will use a sharp blade specified for use with plastics. You can also use a blade marked for wood, but it’s possible that friction from the blade will create too much heat, causing the cut plastic to melt. To prevent this from occurring, you may need to experiment with different jigsaw settings and speeds with a scrap piece of plastic. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to use a jigsaw, and you’ll end up with a perfectly cut piece of plastic for your next home repair or DIY project.

Furthermore, the anodization potential of these alloys makes them more corrosion resistant. That is, applying aluminum anodizing surface finish will increase their resistance to corrosion.

We also recommend using one of our pointed tip blades like the 10528 Pointed-tip Utility Knife Blade if you need to initiate your cut with a puncture, such as in the middle of a sheet of plastic.

Commercially available aluminum for CNC machining projects is not pure. Aluminum itself is a soft metal. Therefore, alloying elements help make aluminum sheet, plate, thin foil and bar product. These elements give hardness and strength to the aluminum.

If you prefer a traditional handle, the 10490 Manual Metal-Handle Utility Knife comes with a thinner 10524 Utility Blade and has optional 10525 and 10523 blades.

How tocut hard plasticwithout cracking it

No matter what tool you end up using, always remember that the best tool for cutting plastic will give you great cutting results and keep you safe.

Cuttingplasticwith hot knife

If you want a straight cut in a thin acrylic or polycarbonate plastic sheet (up to ⅛ inch thick), reach for a simple utility knife, then follow these steps.

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Due to its desirable characteristics, the cryogenic market has wide use for the 5083 alloy. It is also very suitable for marine applications, chemical applications, transport vehicle parts, pressure equipment, and more.

Aluminum machining is simply the process involving the use of aluminum alloys in product manufacturing. Aluminum CNC machining employs computer software and other compatible equipment to move machine tools across the surface of aluminum materials.

CNC machined aluminum parts are helpful in making electrical and electronics components, thanks to their ability to conduct electricity. Aluminum materials are often more conductive than stainless steel, having about 37.7 million siemens per meter of conductivity at room temperature.

Plastic is trickier to handle for multiple reasons. For one, some types of plastic melt during the cutting process, unless you take proper precautions. For another, plastic surfaces are prone to scratches, and the edges sometimes need buffing when the project is complete.

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There’s little debate over the proper methods to cut wood. However, cutting plastic—particularly acrylic and polycarbonate—is a whole different story.

It has excellent formability and increased corrosion resistance. At the same time, it offers medium strength. The versatility of this series makes them useful in electrical components, piping, architectural parts, and consumer goods.

Some of the typical applications of aluminum 6061-T6 include automotive parts like bicycle frames, chassis, and valves. Other applications are found in computer parts and electronics.

Therefore, they are mainly used in the electrical industry. They are also the softest grades, making them highly formable with low mechanical properties and excellent corrosion resistance.

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Engineers who need alloys for high-performance and high-stress applications should consider 7075-T6. This aluminum grade is popular for its good strength-to-weight ratio. You can even compare its hardness to that of some milder steel.

How tocut plasticbox

This article was co-authored by Jacob Pischer . Jacob Pischer is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Helpful Badger, a home repair service in Portland, OR. With over four years of experience, Jacob specializes in a variety of handyman services including pressure washing, cleaning gutters, repairing drywall, fixing leaky plumbing fixtures, and repairing broken doors. Jacob studied at Madison Area Technical College and has a background in real estate investment. This article has been viewed 209,576 times.

This article described the common aluminum alloys for machining and their various properties. Understanding this will help you make informed decisions while selecting an alloy for your manufacturing process.

Engineers choose aluminum for CNC machining because it is easy to machine. Aluminum is soft and chips easily, so it can be easily and quickly cut by CNC machines cutting tools. This feature is very beneficial to machinists and customers ordering aluminum parts.

A utility knife is the best option because it provides a good grip and control. A utility knife works in a similar way to scoring glass. It creates a shallow cut in the plastic, which makes it easy to either break the plastic or cut through completely.

However, narrowing down your options when it comes to aluminum machining can be daunting. In this article, we give you all the necessary details on top aluminum alloys for CNC machining. We would also explain some key benefits of aluminum machining and why it is widespread across various industries.

The best tool for cutting thin plastic (¼ inches or less) is a utility knife. Examples of thin plastic are plastic banding, plastic packaging, and plastic sheets.

To make straight cuts on thicker sheets of acrylic and polycarbonate plastic (greater than ⅛ inch thick), you’ll need to use a table saw or circular saw. Use blades designed specifically to cut plastic, which are often packaged as “No Melt” blades. Ideally, the teeth of the blade should be evenly spaced, of uniform height and shape, and spaced close together. Teeth spaced wider apart may chip or crack the plastic.  Note that if you choose to use a regular blade instead of a “No Melt” blade,” creating too much heat may melt the plastic. As a precaution, pause between cuts to allow the blade to cool.

Another crucial benefit of aluminum is that it is highly recyclable. CNC machining is a subtractive process, generating several chips as waste materials. The recyclability of aluminum helps to reduce material waste. At the same time, it helps those who might want to recoup part of their expenditure.

It boasts of the highest strength of the non-heat-treatable alloy. 5083 excels in applications with low temperatures, and it is not for use in temperatures over 65°C.

How to shapehard plastic

To cut thick plastic, you'll need a fine-toothed saw, jigsaw, or table saw, since plastic can be tough to cut through. Start by clamping it to a workbench or holding it firmly so it doesn’t move. Then, use a fine-toothed saw to make the cut. Use the full length of the blade and move the saw in quick, smooth motions. If you have trouble, try drilling small holes along the line you want to cut to weaken the plastic first. Alternatively, use a jigsaw to cut through the plastic. You can also use a table saw, but make sure you use a non-melt blade so the heat of the saw doesn’t melt your plastic For more tips, including how to slice through plastic with a piece of string, read on!

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The forming of this alloy is typically by rolling and extrusion. It also has similar properties as the 6061 alloy in the same series. However, aluminum 6068-T6 is slightly stronger – the strongest alloy in the 6xxx series.

This alloy is among the most popular options on the market, belonging to the 6xxx series. Most manufacturing companies offer 6061-T6 as the standard aluminum grade for CNC machining.

CNC machining is one of the most versatile manufacturing processes available today. This process is compatible with various materials. Aluminum is among the most popular material choices for CNC machining applications. CNC machining aluminum alloys provide manufacturers huge flexibility for product manufacturing.

Since not all types of plastic that you use will be the same, we recommend trying different tools. Make a small cut with each tool to see which one gives you the best result. You may need to combine multiple tools to get it right.

The best tool for cutting thick plastic (thicker than ¼ inches) is a saw. Thick plastic examples are plastic piping, plastic skirting, and Perspex sheeting. The three best types of saws for cutting thick plastic are a fine-toothed saw, a jigsaw, and a table saw.

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