Machining of all technical materials Archives - MicroMécanique outillage en carbure de tungstène

Titanium

Julien ROUSSEL — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:30:56 +0000

Titanium machining

Titanium is a lightweight metal with a very high strength-to-weight ratio, renowned for its rare combination of properties: high mechanical strength, excellent corrosion resistance, good biocompatibility and high-temperature stability. Titanium alloys (such as Ti-6Al-4V, α, β or α-β alloys) are used in demanding industries (aeronautics, medical equipment and space). At MicroMécanique, we are accustomed to the challenges of working with titanium and its alloys, and we have machinery capable of producing precision parts, prototypes or small series.

Examples of products and possible applications

Here is what MicroMécanique could or can already achieve with titanium:

Aeronautical and space components: supports, structural elements, lightweight parts and engine or turbine components.
Medical implants (orthopaedics, dentistry), surgical instruments and biocompatible parts.
Chemical and marine industry parts exposed to corrosive or aggressive environments.
Components requiring a good strength-to-weight ratio: reduced weight, moving parts and precision mounting components.
Prototypes, small series for luxury goods or watchmaking, where finish, appearance and resistance are key.
Parts subjected to high temperatures or thermal shocks.

Properties of titanium and its alloys

Property	Description/Typical values
Density	Around 4.5 g/cm³ for commonly used alloys (much lighter than steel or tungsten).
Mechanical strength/yield strength	Depends on the alloy, for example Ti-6Al-4V has high tensile strength and offers an excellent compromise between strength and weight.
Young’s tensile modulus	Around 110-120 GPa for pure titanium/alpha-beta alloys.
Hardness	Depends on the alloy: some alloys can reach ~30-40 HRC depending on treatment.
Thermal conductivity	Low: titanium is a poor heat conductor, which poses challenges during machining (the heat concentrates on the tool).
Corrosion resistance	Very good: a passive layer of titanium oxide is formed, which protects against harsh conditions (seawater, weak acids, etc.).
High-temperature resistance/thermal stability	Titanium alloys retain good mechanical properties at high temperatures, but there are limitations depending on the alloy.
Biocompatibility	Very good for medical uses – pure titanium or specialty alloys are widely used for implants.

Machining techniques required/used at MicroMécanique

Working with titanium and its alloys requires appropriate processes, tools and machines. MicroMécanique uses the following:

Specialised CNC turning/milling: very sharp tools, appropriate angles and appropriate feed rates to avoid vibration and adhesion.
5-axis machining and high-speed machining for complex workpieces, curved surfaces and difficult geometries.
Internal cooling and high lubrication: we use high-quality cutting fluids and in many cases internal or external cooling to efficiently remove heat.
Moderate cutting speeds but appropriate feed rates and depths: we avoid excessive speeds and favour strategies that reduce heating.
Coated carbide tools or special inserts: heat/wear-resistant coatings such as TiAlN to extend tool life.
Vibration/buckling control on thin sections: high-quality fastenings, rigid machines and toolpaths designed to avoid vibrations.
Surface treatments after machining: polishing, passivation (controlled oxidation) and possibly heat or other treatments depending on use (medical, aeronautics).
Strict measurements and quality control: tight tolerances, surface finishes, precise geometry and traceability.

Would you like to work with titanium?
Discover their applications

Titanium and its alloys are particularly useful in the following areas:

Aeronautics and space: structural components, engine parts, connectors, fastenings and critical lightweight parts.
Medical equipment and implantology: implants (orthopaedics, dentistry), surgical instruments, prostheses and sterile equipment.
Chemical, oil & gas and marine industries: parts exposed to corrosion, aggressive environments or moderate to high temperatures.
Sports, luxury goods and watchmaking: high-end pieces, watches, jewellery, items requiring an aesthetic finish and high performance.
Research & development and prototypes: to test new alloys and combine their performance; miniaturisation.
Defence: parts requiring mechanical strength, reduced weight and resistance to the environment (e.g. exposed parts).

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Stainless steel

Julien ROUSSEL — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:27:45 +0000

Stainless steel machining

Stainless steel is an iron alloy primarily enriched with chromium (≥11-12%) to form a passive corrosion-resistant layer. Depending on the alloy (austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, duplex, etc.), its properties vary greatly (hardness, temperature resistance, formability). At MicroMécanique, stainless steel is a technical material that we use for parts requiring corrosion resistance, high mechanical strength and precision finishes.

Examples of products and possible applications

MicroMécanique has the capability to use stainless steel to make the following parts and applications:

Parts in contact with corrosive environments: flanges, rings, seals, pump components and piping.
Food industry or pharmaceutical industry components requiring cleaning and sterilisation, and subject to specific health standards.
Medical device parts, surgical instruments, external implants or instruments.
Structural or fastening parts in the chemical, oil and marine industries (screws, brackets, flanges).
Tooling, dies and inserts subjected to mechanical stress and corrosion.
Bearings, axles, guide systems in special machines where durability, finish and resistance to the environment are key.
Prototypes and small series for watchmaking or luxury goods when decorative stainless steel or a visible stainless steel finish is desired.

Property	Description/Typical values
Corrosion resistance	Excellent in many environments: atmospheric, fresh water, acid/alkaline media depending on the grade. The addition of molybdenum, nickel and nitride improves pitting or crevice corrosion.
Density	Around 8.00 g/cm³ for grades like 304.
Melting point/heat resistance	Stainless steel melts at around 1,400-1,530°C depending on the alloy. It has good mechanical strength at moderate temperatures (used hot, but with limitations).
Modulus of elasticity	~ 193 GPa for 304; quite high, good rigidity.
Elongation/ductility	Austenitic grades (304, 316, etc.) have very good ductility (e.g. ~45% elongation for 304).
Hardness/mechanical strength	Varies greatly depending on the grade and state: some martensitic or duplex grades can achieve significant hardness but are often more difficult to machine. For example, 440C (a martensitic stainless steel) reaches ~58-60 HRC with certain treatments.
Thermal conductivity and thermal expansion	Low to moderate thermal conductivity; fairly significant thermal expansion for austenitic grades. This can pose a problem for dimensional stability at high temperatures.

Machining technologies that MicroMécanique uses or can use

Machining stainless steel has its challenges: it hardens when cut, has low thermal conductivity and a tendency to adhere to the tool. MicroMécanique applies the following techniques:

CNC turning/milling: with heavily coated tools, suitable inserts, optimal sharpening, moderate cutting speeds, appropriate feed rates and effective lubrication.
Grinding/polishing: for high-quality surface finishes, aesthetic or functional finishes, and tight tolerances.
Stainless steel microdrilling and drilling: require wear-resistant tools, good cooling and chip control to avoid clogging or localised overheating.
5-axis milling and high-speed machining for complex workpieces, curved surfaces and difficult geometries.
Heat treatments for martensitic or duplex grades: quenching, tempering or annealing to adjust hardness/toughness.
Cutting and rough preparation: laser cutting, waterjet cutting, etc., for blanks before finishing.
Surface treatments: polishing, brushing, passivation, possibly non-stick treatments and decorative treatments.
Meticulous quality control: geometric tolerances, surface finish, absence of cracks and traceability.

Would you like to work with stainless steel?
Discover its applications

Sectors in which stainless steel is particularly useful, and where MicroMécanique can add significant value:

Agrifood and pharmaceutical industries: easy-to-clean equipment, compliant with health standards.
Medical equipment: instruments, external implants and sterile equipment.
Nuclear power and energy: corrosion-resistant components, structural parts subjected to humid or corrosive environments.
Chemicals and petrochemicals: piping, valves, pumps, heat exchangers, parts exposed to chemicals.
Marine and offshore industries: parts resistant to salt water and aggressive environments.
Automotive industry: exhausts, components exposed to corrosion, bodywork elements or secondary structures.
Special machines, tooling: guide systems, axles, components requiring durability and resistance under severe operating conditions.

Luxury goods and watchmaking: visible parts, aesthetic finishes, decorative features, cases/bracelets, neat screw fastenings.

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Inconel®

Julien ROUSSEL — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:15:06 +0000

Inconel® machining

Inconel^® refers to a family of nickel-chromium-based superalloys renowned for their excellent resistance to high temperatures, oxidation and corrosion. These alloys retain their mechanical properties under extreme conditions, making them vital for critical applications (such as in the aeronautics, space, nuclear and chemical industries). At MicroMécanique, our expertise in Inconel^® machining allows us to offer high-performance parts that combine strength, longevity and precision and that are compatible with harsh environments.

Examples of products and possible applications

Below are some examples of parts that MicroMécanique can produce with Inconel^®:

Turbines, discs, blades or components of turbine engines or jet engines exposed to high temperatures.
Combustion parts, combustion chamber components and exhaust ducts.
Flanges, seals, valve stems, oil and gas well components subject to corrosion/heat.
Equipment for the chemical industry, reactors, heat exchangers, supports or surfaces exposed to corrosive or oxidising environments.
Parts for nuclear power plants, steam generators and piping components with stringent thermal/radiation protection requirements.
Components for space or launch vehicles, where thermal loads, temperature cycles and creep are critical parameters.
Tools subjected to high temperatures or oxidation (special moulds, inserts, forgings, etc.).
Prototypes and small series for specialised sectors (aeronautics, defence or research) requiring high-performance alloys.

Properties of Inconel® (and common alloys such as 625, 718 and 600)

Property	Description/Technical data
High-temperature resistance	Inconel^® retains its mechanical properties (strength, creep) at temperatures where many standard metals are weakened.
Oxidation and corrosion resistance	Very good, even in oxidising or aggressive environments. The alloy forms protective oxide layers. Excellent resistance in corrosive or high-temperature atmospheres.
Mechanical strength/fatigue resistance	Good tensile strength, resistance to thermal and mechanical fatigue. Alloys like Inconel^® 718 or 625 are often used for their durability under high stress and thermal cycling.
Creep behaviour	Very good, which is vital for parts exposed to high temperatures and sustained or variable loads.
Low thermal conductivity	Inconel^® has relatively low thermal conductivity, which means that the heat generated during machining remains more concentrated and appropriate methods are needed to dissipate it.
Tendency to work-harden (cutting heats and hardens the workpiece)	During successive passes, the alloy hardens rapidly, which can make subsequent passes more difficult.
Composition/representative grades	Some common alloys: Inconel 600, 625, 718, X-750, etc. Each one has its advantages (corrosion resistance, weldability, high-temperature resistance).

Machining techniques required/used at MicroMécanique

At MicroMécanique, we machine Inconel^®using the following methods, to guarantee the highest quality:

CNC milling/turning: using very hard inserts and suitable coatings (e.g., TiAlN and ceramic) to resist heat and abrasion. It is vital to limit vibration, tighten the tool securely and use robust machines.
Fewer passes and an appropriate feed rate: avoiding overly aggressive deep passes to limit excess heat and local hardening.
Substantial cooling/lubrication: efficient cutting fluid systems, possibly internal cooling, use of specialised lubricants or additives for Inconel^®.

Grinding and polishing: to obtain precise finishes after machining, especially for parts subject to fatigue or thermal cycling.
Electrical discharge machining (EDM): for certain shapes, complex geometries or hard-to-access surfaces, or very small internal drilling.
Machining after annealing/solution heat treatment: to improve machinability, then a final heat treatment if necessary to achieve the final properties.
Strict dimensional controls: tight tolerances, monitoring distortion, inspecting finishes, flatness or concentricity, etc.

Would you like to work with Inconel®?
Discover its applications

MicroMécanique is positioned to become a specialised supplier in the following sectors where Inconel^® is particularly useful:

Aeronautics and space: turbines, combustion chambers, engine components, exhausts and thermal seals.
Oil & gas: wells, flanges, valves, breakers, equipment exposed to corrosive environments, high pressure and high temperatures.
Nuclear power: heat exchangers, steam generators, components exposed to heat and corrosion.
Chemicals and petrochemicals: reactors, conduits, parts in contact with acids and strong chemicals.
Energy and thermal power plants: turbine components, parts subjected to intense thermal cycling.
Defence industry: parts exposed to strong heat, extreme stress and aggressive environments.
Research & development, prototypes: new geometries, material combinations and extreme environments.

The post Inconel® appeared first on MicroMécanique outillage en carbure de tungstène.

PEEK

Julien ROUSSEL — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:13:28 +0000

PEEK machining

PEEK is a high-performance (semi-crystalline) thermoplastic with remarkable mechanical, thermal and chemical stability in demanding environments. It retains its properties over long periods at high temperatures, resists chemical corrosion, and certain grades are biocompatible. By working with PEEK, MicroMécanique has expanded its offering beyond hard and technical metals, for lightweight, resistant, insulating parts or special applications where metals are less than ideal.

Examples of products and possible applications

MicroMécanique produces or could produce the following components from PEEK according to its customers’ needs:

Insulating components for electrical or electronic devices (holders, spacers and insulators).
Medical parts: external implants, surgical instruments, sterile parts, and even prostheses when the grade is suitably biocompatible.
Aeronautics and space industry parts: lightweight parts with temperature resistance, low moisture absorption, limited thermal conductivity = good thermal insulation.
Parts for the chemical or petrochemical industry: valves, seals, seats, components in contact with solvents or aggressive environments.
Parts subject to moderate wear: bearings, bushings, slides, sliding or moving parts not sustaining extreme friction or abrasion.
Components in the semiconductor or electronics industry that require minimal degassing, dimensional stability and tight tolerances.
Prototypes, small series for R&D or for technical/aesthetic parts where the specific performance of PEEK is an advantage.

Properties of PEEK

Below are the main properties of PEEK, and typical values found in the literature:

Property	Description/Typical values
Continuous operating temperature	Up to approximately 250-260°C depending on grade.
Glass transition temperature (Tg)	Around 143°C.
Melting point (Tm)	≈343°C for pure PEEK.
Density	≈1.31-1.45 g/cm³ depending on the grade (unreinforced or reinforced); significantly lighter than metals.
Tensile strength	Varies depending on grade; for example around 90-120 MPa for unreinforced PEEK and higher for reinforced grades.
Young’s modulus/stiffness	Grades reinforced with (glass or carbon) fibres have significantly greater stiffness. Reinforced grades have a higher flexural modulus.
Heat resistance/dimensional stability	Good resistance to thermal expansion, low water absorption and its properties hold well with strong heat conduction.
Chemical resistance	Excellent: resistant to many solvents, weak acids, bases, aggressive environments, etc.
Wear/friction/coefficient of friction	Low coefficient, good abrasion resistance in many conditions, especially in suitable grades.
Biocompatibility	Some medical grade PEEKs are used for external medical devices and implants.

Machining techniques required/used at MicroMécanique

The following processes and techniques are suitable for precision machining of PEEK:

CNC turning and milling: widely used, with well-sharpened tools, an appropriate feed rate and speed to avoid overheating, distortion or stress accumulation in the workpiece.
5-axis or multi-axis machining for complex parts, special geometries and parts with curved surfaces.
Microdrilling/thin pieces: possible, but it is important to control heating levels and eliminate chips.
Dry milling or with light lubrication if medical grade to avoid contamination. Some grades require drying or specific processes.
Control of internal stresses: annealing/stress relieving after machining or before machining if the material has been subjected to stress (storage, shaping), to avoid subsequent distortion.
Surface finishing: polishing and deburring to obtain smooth surfaces, particularly for medical or contact applications.
Dimensional stability: PEEK offers good tolerances, but thermal expansion, humidity variations, etc. must be anticipated.

Would you like to work with PEEK?
Discover its applications

MicroMécanique is able to work with this high-performance material to serve the following sectors:

Medical equipment and devices, implantology: implants, fixings, instruments and sterile parts.
Aeronautics and space: lightweight parts exposed to heat or thermal cycling, insulating parts, non-load-bearing but critical structural components.
Chemicals and petrochemicals: parts in contact with solvents, aggressive fluids and corrosive environments.
Electronics and semiconductors: insulating parts, substrates, holders, components that must withstand a vacuum or require minimal degassing.
Projection industry and moderate wear: bearings, slides, sliding parts where weight, friction and durability are key.
Research & development, prototypes and small series for specific technical needs (reduced weight, thermal performance, chemical performance, etc.).

The post PEEK appeared first on MicroMécanique outillage en carbure de tungstène.

All other typical technical materials we work with

Julien ROUSSEL — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:10:24 +0000

Copper tungsten alloys

Composite bearings