VT machining provides CNC Turning Nickel Silver for customers who need accurate, repeatable Nickel Silver components. Because Nickel Silver is corrosion resistant with a bright silver-white finish, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.
Starting Parameters for CNC Turning Nickel Silver
| Cutting speed (carbide) | 120-200 m/min |
|---|---|
| Feed | 0.08-0.25 mm/rev |
| Spindle speed, Ø25 mm bar | 1530-2550 rpm |
| Insert / tool class | ISO N — sharp, polished, uncoated or DLC |
| Coolant | Emulsion |
Shown for Nickel Silver (C752 / CuNi18Zn20), the most common Nickel Silver grade we see for CNC Turning. Starting values for Nickel Silver (C752 / CuNi18Zn20), Half-hard or spring temper; optimised on the first article.
CNC Turning Capability for Nickel Silver
- Diameter tolerance to ±0.005 mm
- Concentricity within 0.01 mm
- OD/ID, threading, grooving
- Bar and chuck work
Nickel Silver Material Data
| Density | 8.73 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 390–710 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 170–545 MPa |
| Hardness | 70–160 HV |
| Melting point | 1110 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 33 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 16.2 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 6% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 20–30% |
| Grades we run | C75200, C77000, C79200 free-cutting |
Published typical values for C75200 (65-18). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
It is bought for its colour as often as its properties, so cosmetic faces are masked through deburring and handled in gloves from the machine onward.
How CNC Turning Nickel Silver Works
The Nickel Silver bar or billet rotates in the spindle while single-point tools shape outer diameters, bores, faces, grooves and threads. Constant surface speed control keeps cutting conditions stable from large to small diameters.
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 Turning Nickel Silver
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Outside diameter | ±0.05 mm | ±0.005 mm |
| Bore diameter | H9 | H6 |
| Length / shoulder position | ±0.10 mm | ±0.020 mm |
| Concentricity OD to ID | 0.05 mm TIR | 0.010 mm TIR |
| Roundness | 0.02 mm | 0.005 mm |
| Thread class | 6g / 2A | 4h / 3A |
| Surface finish, as turned | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 0.4 µm |
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.
CNC Turning Tolerances & Surface Finish
Turned Nickel Silver holds diameter tolerances to about ±0.005 mm with concentricity within 0.01 mm and good roundness. Turned finishes of Ra 0.4–0.8 µm are achievable with finishing passes and sharp tooling.
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.
Working with Nickel Silver
Nickel Silver offers a useful combination of properties: it is corrosion resistant with a bright silver-white finish. Those characteristics shape how we approach turning — 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.
Design Tips for CNC Turning Nickel Silver
A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. Consistent diameters, standard thread forms and avoiding extremely long, slender features help Nickel Silver turned parts stay concentric and economical. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Applications of CNC Turning Nickel Silver
CNC Turning of Nickel Silver 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.
Typical Nickel Silver Parts for CNC Turning
Illustrative examples of CNC Turning Nickel Silver parts and the callouts that usually drive the process plan. They show the kind of work that fits this process; they are not specific customer orders.
Nozzle body
- Material
- Nickel Silver
- Size
- Ø12 × 46 mm
- Key callouts
- Ø0.6 mm orifice ±0.01 mm, internal taper 20°
- Batch
- 600 pcs
Orifice EDM-drilled after turning; a drill wanders at that diameter.
Bearing spacer
- Material
- Nickel Silver
- Size
- Ø35 / Ø22 × 9 mm
- Key callouts
- Thickness ±0.005 mm, parallelism 0.005 mm
- Batch
- 4,000 pcs
Turned then double-disc ground — thickness this tight is not a lathe job.
Precision shaft
- Material
- Nickel Silver
- Size
- Ø16 × 240 mm
- Key callouts
- OD h6, concentricity 0.01 mm TIR, keyway 5 H9
- Batch
- 1,000 pcs / year
Turned between centres so both journals share one datum.
Finishing Options for Nickel Silver
| 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 Turning Nickel Silver
- 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 Nickel Silver 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 Turning
Other Processes for Nickel Silver
Send the drawing, the Nickel Silver 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 surface finish is achievable on Nickel Silver with CNC Turning?
Surface finish on Nickel Silver is controlled to your specification; we confirm the achievable Ra against your callout.
Can VT machining make custom Nickel Silver parts to my drawing?
Yes. Nickel Silver turning 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.
Which industries use CNC Turning Nickel Silver parts?
CNC Turning Nickel Silver parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Nickel Silver components are required.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Turning on Nickel Silver?
Machined Nickel Silver edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.
Why is Nickel Silver a good choice for CNC Turning?
Nickel Silver is corrosion resistant with a bright silver-white finish, which makes it well suited to CNC Turning. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Nickel Silver turning part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Turning Nickel Silver?
Turned Nickel Silver parts are produced from bar or chuck stock across a wide diameter range.