What are the primary materials used in machining processes?

The primary materials used in machining processes encompass metals, plastics, and composites due to their wide application across various industries. Metals are perhaps the most common material machined because of their strength, durability, and versatility. They include ferrous materials like steel and non-ferrous materials like aluminum and brass, which can be machined into precise components for everything from automotive parts to aerospace structures.

Plastics are increasingly utilized in machining due to their lightweight properties and resistance to corrosion, making them suitable for numerous applications, especially in consumer goods and electronics. Composites, which combine two or more different materials to leverage the benefits of each, are also machined to produce parts that are both strong and lightweight, ideal for industries such as aerospace and automotive.

The other options presented include materials that are either not primarily used in machining processes or represent a narrower scope of applications. While wood can be machined, it generally falls under different manufacturing processes more aligned with carving or shaping rather than machining in the traditional sense. Ceramics and glass are not typically machined using the same methods as metals and plastics due to their brittleness and the specialized techniques required for them. Sand and paper also do not serve as primary materials for machining processes; instead, they are utilized more