There are many things we love about precision machining, but one of the best parts of our job is getting the chance to work with—and master—new and exciting materials.
Last year introduced us to Nitronic 60, an all-purpose stainless steel alloy commonly found in minisatellites. This year, the newest material to come through our precision machine shop is Monel. And as is often the case here at Focused on Machining, once we get a taste of something, we can’t get enough of it!
What Is Monel?
Monel is a group of superalloys with many of the same properties as Inconel. Both have a high nickel content, but while Inconel’s secondary alloyant is chromium, Monel’s is copper. Other substances such as manganese, carbon, iron, and silicon are also present in Monel.
This material is known for maintaining exceptional corrosion resistance due to its high copper content—even when fully submerged in salt water. It’s ideal for submarines and other marine applications.
Although not quite as heat-resistant as Inconel, Monel possesses high stability at temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. We recently machined Monel parts for a rocket for one of our aerospace customers. The material is also used in many applications for the oil and gas industry.
Challenges of CNC Machining Monel
Like most exotic materials, Monel poses challenges for precision machining customers and shops alike.
Customers are often shocked to learn just how much this superalloy costs. We recently purchased a 7” diameter x 4’ long bar of Monel for $12,000—and there’s a chance prices could creep up even higher due to ongoing material shortages.
Fortunately, when you work with a shop like Focused on Machining that has the skills and expertise to master Monel machining, you benefit from reasonable labor costs comparable to what we charge for cutting standard materials. We’ve found that we can machine Monel effectively with feeds and speeds similar to those we use for 304 or 316 stainless steel.
Still, if the material costs are too high for your project, we’re happy to discuss alternatives with you. We have years of experience working with many different materials at our Denver machine shop and can provide our expert recommendations.
We love what we do here at Focused on Machining, and you’ll see that reflected in the quality of our work and your experience interacting with us. If you need Monel parts, you can count on us to get the job done right—and enjoy every second of it.
Request a quote from our precision machine shop, and we’ll respond within 24 hours!