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Machinability Comparison Tool — Filter, Sort & Compare 32 Materials

Compare Materials by Machinability Rating, SFM Range, and Recommended Tooling

Free machinability comparison tool with 32 materials across 9 families. Filter by family, toggle heat treated conditions, and sort by machinability %, SFM range, or name. Each entry includes machinability rating, recommended SFM, chip type, and tooling notes.

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Compare mode shows 2-3 materials side by side. Useful for material substitution decisions and cycle time estimation when switching materials on an existing part.

Pro Tip: Machinability ratings are a starting point, not a guarantee. The biggest real-world factor is chip control — a material that forms long stringy chips (like 304 stainless) is far more aggravating than the rating suggests. Always consider chip type alongside the machinability number.

Decode any AISI/SAE steel grade

Steel Grade Decoder →

Calculate speeds and feeds from machinability data

Speeds & Feeds Calculator →

Estimate surface finish for your material

Surface Finish Calculator →

Calculate chipload for milling

Chip Load Calculator →
Start Using This Tool See How It Works

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Machinability Comparison Tool
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How It Works

  1. Browse or Filter

    View all 32 materials or filter by family: Carbon, Alloy, Free-Machining, Stainless, Aluminum, Copper/Brass, Cast Iron, Titanium, Nickel Alloys.

  2. Sort by Property

    Sort by Machinability %, Name, or SFM Range. Click headers to toggle ascending/descending.

  3. Toggle Heat Treated

    Where available, toggle between annealed and heat treated conditions.

  4. Expand Details

    Click any material to see SFM ranges for turning/milling/drilling, chip type, hardness, and tooling recommendations.

  5. Compare Side by Side

    Check 2-3 materials for a comparison table highlighting differences.

Built For

  • Machinists evaluating cutting parameters for unfamiliar materials
  • Manufacturing engineers selecting materials for high-volume production
  • CNC programmers estimating cycle times when switching materials
  • Estimators comparing material options for quoting
  • Purchasing agents finding more machinable substitutes
  • Tool engineers selecting insert grades based on chip characteristics

Features & Capabilities

32 Materials

12 steels, 4 stainless, 4 aluminum, 3 copper/brass, 3 cast iron, 2 titanium, 2 nickel alloys, 2 free-machining. Each with machinability %, SFM, and chip type.

Family Filters

Nine color-coded pills for quick family selection.

Compare Mode

Up to 3 materials side by side highlighting differences in machinability, SFM, chip type, and tooling.

Heat Treated Toggle

Shows how heat treatment affects machinability and cutting parameters.

Sortable Columns

Sort by machinability %, SFM range, or alphabetical name.

PDF Export

Export comparisons as branded PDF for process plans or material selection reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ratings are relative to AISI 1212 (100% baseline). A 60% material should produce about 60% of the tool life at the same speed, or you can run at 60% of the speed for comparable tool life.
Ratings are not standardized — they vary by test method, tooling, coolant, and criteria used. These are consensus values from multiple industry sources.
Scale proportionally from a known material. If you run 1212 at 400 SFM and the new material rates 50%, start at 200 SFM. The SFM ranges already account for this.
From a machining cost perspective yes, but machinability is often at odds with other properties. Free-machining steels have poor weldability and lower toughness.
Disclaimer: Machinability ratings are approximate values from AISI data, ASM references, and industry experience. Actual machinability varies with material lot, heat treatment, tooling, and machine condition. Use as starting points.

Learn More

Machinist

Understanding AISI/SAE Steel Grade Numbers for the Machine Shop

What AISI and SAE steel grade numbers mean, how the 4-digit system works, and how to pick the right grade for machining, welding, and heat treatment.

Read Guide →
Machinist

Machinability Ratings — What They Mean and How to Use Them

What machinability percentage means, how ratings are measured relative to AISI 1212, and how to translate them into real cutting parameters.

Read Guide →

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