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Difficult materials

Precision Machining of Difficult Materials

Exotic alloys and high-performance polymers behave nothing like mild steel. We machine them daily — with the tooling, cooling and stress control each material demands.

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Kovar Machining

Glass-to-metal sealing alloy for optical and microwave packages.

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Tungsten Alloys

High-density alloys for counterweights and radiation shielding.

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Permalloy

High-permeability nickel-iron for magnetic shielding.

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PEEK

High-performance polymer for semiconductor, medical and analytical parts.

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PVDF

Chemically resistant fluoropolymer for fluid-handling components.

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PTFE

Low-friction, chemically inert parts for sealing and insulation.

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VESPEL SP-1

DuPont polyimide for seals, bushings, insulators and wear parts.

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Carbon Fiber

Lightweight CFRP components with clean, delamination-free edges.

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Aluminum

Lightweight, thermally stable parts with clean edges.

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Stainless Steel

Corrosion-resistant parts without work-hardening surprises.

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Titanium

High strength-to-weight parts with controlled heat.

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Inconel

High-temperature nickel alloys with stable surface integrity.

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Invar 36

Low-expansion alloy that stays put as temperature changes.

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ABS

Cost-effective prototypes, housings and fixtures.

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Delrin (POM)

Low-friction, stable parts for gears and bearings.

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Engineering Plastics

Insulation, wear and chemical-resistance components.

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PEEK vs PI vs PTFE

Which high-performance polymer for your application.

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Kovar vs Invar

Two low-expansion alloys, two different jobs.

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Tungsten vs Steel

Density-led selection for ballast and shielding.

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Material Selection Guide

Match the material to the requirement that dominates.

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Alumina Ceramic

Hard, insulating technical ceramic, diamond machined.

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Graphite

EDM electrodes and high-temperature components.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Aluminium 6061/6082/7075, stainless 304/316L/17-4PH, titanium Grade 2 and Grade 5, Inconel 625/718, Invar 36, Kovar, tungsten heavy alloy, Permalloy, PEEK, PVDF, PTFE, VESPEL, POM, ABS, alumina ceramic and graphite, plus carbon-fibre composites.
Kovar matches the expansion of borosilicate glass, so it is the right choice for glass-to-metal seals and feedthroughs; Invar has an almost zero expansion and suits optical and instrument mounts. Both are held to +-0.005 mm as metals.
No. Plastics are held to +-0.01 mm against +-0.005 mm for metals, and a Ra 0.2 um finish is not achievable on plastics. Where a dimension has to hold on a plastic part, that is discussed in the DFM review before the price is fixed.
Yes, in house. Alumina ceramic (95-99.9%) and graphite - including EDM electrodes, semiconductor and high-temperature parts - are machined at about +-0.01 mm, confirmed per part.
Yes. EN 10204 3.1 certificates accompany the batch, and incoming material is verified by spark-OES spectrometry against the specified grade and EN/DIN number before it reaches a machine.
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Tell us about your program. The fields below help our engineering team prioritize recurring, long-term supply programs with equipment manufacturers.

What happens after you send your files

  • Within 1 business day an engineer — not a salesperson — reviews your drawings and replies.
  • DFM review: tolerances, material and risk flags, before any cutting begins.
  • Your quote includes a material-verification plan: grade, EN/DIN check, certificate strategy.

Critical features are verified in house · material chemistry confirmed by spectrometer · EN 10204 3.1 certificates available.

Prefer email? Write to us directly at info@prototech-machining.com

Recurring programs and orders of 1,000+ pcs are prioritised by our engineering team.
The number of parts per order — it lets us price tooling and batch setup correctly instead of guessing at a range.
Several different parts? Email your list and drawings to ellie@prototech-machining.com and we will quote them together.
e.g. 120 pcs · 6061-T6 aluminium · black anodise · mates with bracket PT-1042
Built for qualified programs.
Our form captures production type, annual quantity and project status up front — so we can focus engineering resources on long-term supply relationships, not one-off inquiries.
Need engineering input first?
Talk to our team about special materials, tolerances or a failed-supplier recovery before you send drawings.
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