An aerospace buyer, an automotive engineer, and a medical device manufacturer rarely ask us the same first question. One wants to know about titanium grades. Another is sourcing alloy steel for gears. The third needs stainless for surgical instruments. By the end of the call, though, all three tend to ask the same thing: can you supply the material and handle the work around it?
We’re Forte Precision Metals, Inc. in Chicago, IL. We’ve supplied precision ground and cold finish round bar since 1994, and aerospace, automotive, and medical are among the industries we serve. Here’s how our materials and services line up with each one.
Matching Materials and Services to Three Demanding Industries
Different industries require different materials, but the need for reliable processing, quality practices, and shipping remains important across all three.
Aerospace: Titanium, Alloy Steel, and Aluminum
We supply alloy steel, aluminum, and titanium round bar materials for aerospace applications, giving manufacturers access to different material options based on their component requirements.
On the titanium side, Grade 5 is the strongest commercially available grade, and Grades 6 and 23 are also used in aerospace work. Our titanium selection post compares these grades in detail, and we also supply titanium ground bar stock.
For alloy steel applications, Grade 4130 offers machinability, weldability, and ductility, with applications in aircraft, automotive, and hydraulic tools. Grade 4340 is a nickel chromium molybdenum alloy known for high fatigue strength, with applications in aircraft and automotive components, including crankshafts. Grade 52100 is a high carbon chromium alloy steel used in aircraft bearings and other highly stressed parts.
We’ve covered Grade 5 titanium and 6061 aluminum in their own posts. If your aerospace program needs titanium, alloy steel, and aluminum, you can source all three from us.
Automotive: Alloy, Carbon, and Stainless Grades
Automotive applications span several of the material families we supply, including stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, aluminum, and titanium.
Different steel grades serve different automotive component requirements. Grade 8620 is a commonly used carburizing alloy steel for applications such as camshafts, gears, and fasteners. Grade 410 stainless steel is used for nuts, bolts, automotive parts, and bushings, while Grade 430 offers good formability for applications such as automotive trim. Alloy steel grades 4130 and 4340 are also used in automotive and aerospace applications, depending on the component’s requirements.
For automotive parts, the processing a bar needs matters as much as the grade, which is where the services below come in.
Medical: Stainless and Titanium for Instruments and Implants
We supply medical and surgical metal products that include stainless steel grades 316, 420, and 440. These materials are used in medical applications, including surgical instruments, while suitability for implants or other regulated components depends on the specific material specification and intended use.
Grade 316 has molybdenum added and is used in medical work, along with pharmaceutical and marine applications. Grade 420, which is harder than 410, is used for surgical instruments and cutlery. Titanium grades 1, 4, 5, 9, and 23 also have medical applications, which our titanium post covers grade by grade.
We’ve written separately about stainless grades for surgical instruments and implants. If you’re narrowing a medical grade choice, share your drawing and application requirements so we can discuss the materials we supply.
Shared Processing That Supports All Three
Depending on the application, round bar material may require additional processing before machining. Our in house centerless grinding handles bars up to 7″ in diameter and 24 feet in length.
Beyond grinding, we offer metal turning and milling to ±0.001 in., CNC custom machining to ±0.005″, polishing that includes a #8 mirror finish, CNC saw cutting to length, rotary bar straightening, and bar chamfering.
The Quality System Behind Our Work
We’re an ISO 9001:2015 certified round bar supplier. Our quality system includes Advanced Quality Planning, Statistical Process Control, Gauge R&R, and Machine Capability Studies.
If your project requires additional industry documentation or material specifications, include those requirements when requesting a quote so we can discuss them before an order is placed.
Details That Help Us Quote Your Part
The most useful requests tell us four things: the grade, the size, the processing the bar needs, and the industry the part is going into. Size means diameter and length, plus any tolerance or finish callouts. Processing covers grinding, cutting, straightening, chamfering, machining, or polishing. Include any documentation and packaging requirements specific to your project as well. We ship nationally and worldwide, with packaging options from cardboard tubing to custom wood boxes.
Talk With Us About Your Industry’s Requirements
Whether you’re building aircraft components, automotive gears, or surgical instruments, call our team at +1 (847) 451-8888, Monday through Saturday, 7 AM to 5 PM. You can also send your drawing through our request a quote page. Tell us your industry and application, and we’ll show you where our materials and services fit.
FAQs
Does Forte Precision Metals serve aerospace, automotive, and medical customers?
Yes. All three are among the industries we serve, along with construction, military, oil and gas, and food processing.
Which grades do you supply for medical applications?
We supply stainless steel grades 316, 420, and 440 for medical and surgical material applications, and several titanium grades also have medical applications. Suitability for a specific instrument or implant depends on the required material standard and component specifications.
Which alloy steel grades are used in both aerospace and automotive work?
Grades 4130 and 4340 are both used in aerospace and automotive applications. Grade 4130 is also used for hydraulic tools, while 4340 is associated with components such as crankshafts.
What quality system does Forte operate under?
We’re ISO 9001:2015 certified. Our quality system includes Advanced Quality Planning, Statistical Process Control, Gauge R&R, and Machine Capability Studies.
