Aerospace machining demands tight tolerances on difficult materials with full traceability. Material selection determines tooling.
Common Aerospace Materials
Titanium Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5)
The aerospace workhorse — 50% of all titanium produced.
- Hardness: 30-36 HRC
- Density: 4.43 g/cm³ (lighter than steel)
- Specific strength: highest of common metals
- Cutting tools: submicron carbide + AlTiN, HP coolant required
Inconel 718 / 625
Engine components, high-temp parts.
- Hardness: 40-44 HRC (aged)
- Cutting speed: 30-60 m/min carbide, 200+ m/min ceramic
- Cutting tools: Sandvik S05F, Kennametal KCS10B
Aluminum 7075-T6
Structural aerospace alloy — fuselage, wing spars.
- Hardness: 150 HB
- Tensile strength: 510 MPa
- Easy to machine, susceptible to stress corrosion
- Cutting tools: ZrN-coated 3-flute carbide end mills
Aluminum 2024-T351
Aircraft skin, structural parts.
- Hardness: 120 HB
- Easier than 7075 but less strong
Magnesium Alloys (AZ31, AZ91)
Helicopter parts, lightweight structures.
- Density: 1.74 g/cm³ (lightest structural metal)
- FIRE RISK — magnesium chips can ignite, requires special handling
- Cutting tools: dry machining only, no water-based coolant (reacts violently)
Stainless Steel 17-4 PH
High-strength stainless for landing gear, fasteners.
- Hardness: H1025 condition = 33-40 HRC
- Tougher than 304/316 but still M-class
Hastelloy / Waspaloy
Combustor sections, exhaust nozzles.
- Hardness: 30-45 HRC
- Even harder to machine than Inconel
Quality Standards
- AS9100 — Aerospace quality management (extension of ISO 9001)
- NADCAP — Aerospace process accreditation
- FAA Part 145 — Repair station authorization
- EASA Part 145 — European equivalent
Traceability Requirements
- Material certs (mill heat, chemistry, mechanical properties)
- Cutting tool serial numbers documented per part
- Inspection records by serialized tool
- First Article Inspection (FAI) reports per AS9102
Hooguu Aerospace Support
For aerospace tool selection, traceability documentation, and grade recommendations, contact us via WhatsApp +1 743-279-9499.
Browse aerospace-rated tooling: Sandvik, Kennametal.
Shop Related Products at HOOGUU
