Looking for reliable CNC Honing Kovar? VT machining manufactures Kovar parts to tight tolerances and consistent quality. Kovar is matched thermal expansion for glass/ceramic seals, so the process is set up specifically for the material.
CNC Honing Capability for Kovar
- Bore Ra to 0.1 µm
- Cross-hatch pattern
- Roundness within 0.002 mm
- Hydraulic-bore finishing
Kovar Material Data
| Density | 8.36 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 517 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 340 MPa |
| Hardness | 140–160 HV |
| Melting point | 1450 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 17.3 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 5.1 (30–200 °C) ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 3.5% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 35% |
| Grades we run | Kovar / ASTM F15, Alloy 42, Alloy 52 |
Published typical values for Kovar (ASTM F15). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Sealing surfaces must stay clean. Parts destined for glass-to-metal seals are degreased and handled without bare hands after final machining.
How CNC Honing Kovar Works
Abrasive media or tooling refine the Kovar surface in controlled stages, removing the previous step's marks until the target roughness and edge condition are reached.
Every job begins from your CAD model or 2D drawing. Fixturing and tool paths are planned so the most critical dimensions are produced in the most rigid, repeatable setup. Critical dimensions are checked on the first part and monitored through the run.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Honing Kovar
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Surface roughness | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.05 µm |
| Edge break | 0.1–0.3 mm | 0.05 ±0.02 mm |
| Material removed | 0.02 mm | 0.005 mm |
| Bore roundness after honing | 0.005 mm | 0.002 mm |
| Cross-hatch angle | 45° ±10° | 45° ±5° |
| Cosmetic grade | uniform satin | mirror, no visible lines |
| Masking of datum faces | on request | standard |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
Design Tips for CNC Honing Kovar
A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. Telling us the target Ra, the cosmetic faces and any masking needs lets us finish Kovar efficiently without over-processing. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Working with Kovar
Kovar offers a useful combination of properties: it is matched thermal expansion for glass/ceramic seals. Those characteristics shape how we approach finishing — from tool and parameter selection to work-holding and coolant.
If your application is sensitive to alloy condition, we agree the specification in writing and document it. Stock is sourced from reputable suppliers so what you order is what you receive.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
We complete Kovar components with the secondary steps your drawing calls for. We arrange heat treatment, surface treatment, marking and assembly as needed. Tell us the final spec and we will plan the full route so parts arrive ready to use.
CNC Honing Tolerances & Surface Finish
Finishing brings Kovar to a defined roughness target — from a uniform satin to Ra values as low as 0.05 µm — with controlled, repeatable edge breaks.
Final tolerances are governed by the material's behaviour, wall thickness and overall stiffness. We give honest DFM feedback if a callout would be costly or better achieved another way.
CNC Honing Quality & Inspection
Consistent quality comes from disciplined process control. Critical dimensions on Kovar parts are checked in-process and verified at final inspection using calibrated instruments and, where required, CMM measurement. Full documentation — dimensional reports, mill certs, FAIR — is available when your programme needs it.
Applications of CNC Honing Kovar
CNC Honing of Kovar supports parts across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor, energy and general industrial sectors. We scale from one-off prototypes to ongoing production while holding the same quality.
How to Order CNC Honing Kovar
Ordering Kovar parts is straightforward. Provide the drawing, material, quantity and any certification needs. Our engineers reply — in English — with feasibility, pricing and a realistic lead time, usually within one business day.
Parts We Have Run in Kovar
Three representative CNC Honing Kovar jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.
Cosmetic housing
- Material
- Kovar
- Size
- 150 × 90 mm visible face
- Key callouts
- Uniform satin, no directional lines
- Batch
- 2,500 pcs
Grained in one direction with datum faces masked so they keep their tolerance.
Deburred stamping
- Material
- Kovar
- Size
- 40 × 25 × 1 mm
- Key callouts
- Edge break 0.05–0.15 mm, no sharp edges
- Batch
- 30,000 pcs
Vibratory finished in media sized to reach every internal cutout.
Passivated stainless fitting
- Material
- Kovar
- Size
- Ø18 × 40 mm
- Key callouts
- ASTM A967 citric passivation, no free iron
- Batch
- 5,000 pcs
Passivated after all machining, then tested with a copper sulphate check.
Finishing Options for Kovar
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote CNC Honing Kovar
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact Kovar grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
Other Metals for CNC Honing
Other Processes for Kovar
Send the drawing, the Kovar grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What is CNC Honing Kovar and how is it done?
CNC Honing Kovar refers to honing finishes bores with abrasive stones to precise size, roundness and a cross-hatch surface. Applied to Kovar — matched thermal expansion for glass/ceramic seals — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
Can VT machining make custom Kovar parts to my drawing?
Yes. Kovar Kovar finishing is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.
Does CNC Honing Kovar require dedicated tooling?
Most Kovar finishing work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Honing Kovar?
We machine Kovar across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.
Why is Kovar a good choice for CNC Honing?
Kovar is matched thermal expansion for glass/ceramic seals, which makes it well suited to CNC Honing. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Kovar finishing part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
What surface finish is achievable on Kovar with CNC Honing?
Our finishing processes refine Kovar surfaces to Ra values as low as 0.05 µm for cosmetic or sealing faces.