--- title: Are You Mixing Up Machinability Vs. Weldability? Big Mistake description: Metal grades differ in several key categories. Mixing up machinability vs. weldability is a mistake you won't want to make for your project -- here's why: image: https://www.mchoneind.com/hubfs/machinability%20vs.%20weldability.jpg --- [![mchone industries](https://www.mchoneind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mchonecolors.png?width=300&name=mchonecolors.png "mchone industries")](https://www.mchoneind.com/) - [Blog](https://www.mchoneind.com/blog/) - [Downloadable Resources](https://blog.mchoneind.com/free-manufacturing-resources) - [Portfolio](https://www.mchoneind.com/portfolio/) - [Careers](https://www.mchoneind.com/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://www.mchoneind.com/contact-us/) - [Services](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/) - [Tube Production](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/tube-production/) - [Tube Bending & Tube Fabrication](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/tube-bending-fabrication/) - [Metal Weldments & Assemblies](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/weldments-and-assemblies/) - [Roll Forming](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/roll-forming/) - [Sheet Metal Fabrication](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/sheet-metal-fabrication/) - [Laser Cutting](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/laser-cutting-sheet-metal/) - [Robotic Welding](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/robotic-welding/) - [Bead Blasting](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/bead-blasting/) - [Powder Coating](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/powder-coating-services/) - [Ring Rolling](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/metal-rolling-service/) - [About](https://www.mchoneind.com/about/) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Fmachinability-vs.-weldability%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Fmachinability-vs.-weldability%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Fmachinability-vs.-weldability%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Fmachinability-vs.-weldability%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Are%20You%20Mixing%20Up%20Machinability%20Vs.%20Weldability%3F%20Big%20Mistake) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Fmachinability-vs.-weldability%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn2.hubspot.net%2Fhubfs%2F1629394%2FImported_Blog_Media%2Fpexels-photo-13-1024x672.jpg) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Fmachinability-vs.-weldability%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Fmachinability-vs.-weldability%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) # Are You Mixing Up Machinability Vs. Weldability? Big Mistake - November 29, 2017 - McHone Industries, Inc. - [Comments Off](https://www.mchoneind.com/blog/machinability-vs.-weldability#comments-listing) ![Engineer welding metal materials and creating sparks](https://www.mchoneind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/machinability%20vs.%20weldability.jpg?width=320&name=machinability%20vs.%20weldability.jpg "machinability vs. weldability.jpg")You should always approach choosing a metal based on which properties matter most for your project. Say you need a metal that’s easy to cut by machine, but can also be welded super-smoothly. Which do you pick? None, because there’s no such thing! Here’s why machinability vs. weldability is a battle you want to avoid. ## Machinability Vs. Weldability: Definitions Metal differs in [several key categories](https://makezine.com/2016/03/15/metal-zone/). Two of the most important distinctions are machinability vs. weldability. ### Machinability This term, also called “free machining,” is the ability to cut a metal with a blade. It **does not** refer to the ability to laser cut. Your vendor can cut machinable metals at high speeds and with less expensive tools. An easier process is a cheaper one with less lead time for you. For someone ordering in low volume, the difference in a metal’s machinability is less of a factor than for someone buying thousands of parts. ### Weldability You guessed it: Weldability is the ease of welding a material. Weldable materials require less prep time (again, meaning lower production costs and lead time for you) and less expertise from the welder. Less desirable materials require more advanced welding techniques and, sometimes, additional considerations like preheating. The material’s chemical composition determines its weldability. High-carbon steels, for example, are less weldable due to their **poor ductility**. ## Machinability Vs. Weldability by Materials ![machinability vs. weldability chart-1.png](https://www.mchoneind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/machinability%20vs.%20weldability%20chart-1.png?width=520&name=machinability%20vs.%20weldability%20chart-1.png "machinability vs. weldability chart-1.png")“Poor” is a relative term and doesn’t mean a metal is impossible to work with. For example, most grades of[stainless steel can be machined](https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/7-things-consider-choosing-stainless-steel-grade/), just keep in mind that stainless is vulnerable to work hardening. ([Click here](https://blog.mchoneind.com/blog/best-stainless-steel-grades-cutting) for a more in-depth look at the machinability of stainless steel.) There are numerous grades of each metal, so don’t blindly select a metal without studying which grade is ideal for your welding or cutting project. [Click here](https://blog.mchoneind.com/blog/stainless-steel-grades-chart) for a chart of stainless steel grades, and [click here](https://blog.mchoneind.com/blog/carbon-steel-grades-chart) for a chart of carbon steel grades. The charts call out several grades for poor or great machinability or weldability. To sum it up: - If your component will require a lot of welds, **carbon steel** will be the easiest to manipulate. Carbon steel’s already [a bit ugly](https://blog.mchoneind.com/blog/carbon-steel-tubing-advantages-and-disadvantages), so you’re probably not worried about making your part look like Frankenstein anyway. - If it’s imperative your metal can be cut by blade, **aluminum** is your best choice. It’s soft and less expensive than stainless to replace if you vendor messes up. ## Not Sure? Ask an Expert Wiser material choice means better control over the final outcome, and that’s a good thing for any manufacturing process, be it machining or welding. Choosing the right metal is, too. Work with an [all-inclusive vendor](https://blog.mchoneind.com/blog/slash-costs-all-in-one-component-manufacturing) who’s experienced in calculating whether higher-end materials are worth the cost for your specific application. 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