Ceramic Tools For Machining

There are a range of ceramic grades available for a variety of applications.

Ceramic tools for machining.

But the tool tip generally carries much of the stress. Softer metals like aluminum and mild steel have higher cutting speeds than do nasty metals like titanium or inconel. Carbide cutting tools for milling turning and holemaking cnc operations. Indexable and micro tool products for the automotive aerospace medical energy and pcb industries.

Also recent developments in machine technology leading to higher power as well as higher cutting speed have enabled a wider use of ceramic based. The technical properties of typical ceramic tools are indicated in table i applications of ceramic cutting tool materials cast iron machining machining of cast iron brake drums and discs for the automotive industry remains the largest application area for ceramics and all three categories of ceramic can be used depending upon the application. I have used a white colored ceramic called macor which can be machined even with hss tools although it does wear them away a bit faster than tough steels. All ceramic cutting tools have excellent wear resistance at high cutting speeds.

The ideal cutting temperature in nickel alloy is about 1 800 degrees f for example. Following a final firing when as fired tolerances are not sufficient fine diamond machining grinding using diamond impregnated cutters is often required. Cutting with reinforced ceramic inserts put a strain on the tool holder and machine. Ceramics can be made from several different types of hard metal oxides or nitrides.

Additionally materials like silicon carbide sic may not fit the precise definition of a ceramic material but they can still be classified as part of the ceramic family. This chart shows the relative strengths of various insert shapes. That facilitates the removal of material and a reduction in cutting forces. Ceramic cutting tools are becoming more and more popular with rise in demand for higher productivity improvement in machine capabilities and growth of automotive energy and aerospace markets.

If you do machine macor wear breathing protection. Oxide ceramics are aluminium oxide based al2o3 with added zirconia zro2 for crack inhibition. All cutting tools have a recommended cutting speed for any given material. With reinforced ceramic cutting tools the objective in machining is to generate high temperatures ahead of the cutting tool to soften or plasticize the workpiece material.

So too can carbide and ceramic cutting tools achieve higher speeds regardless of the workpiece material than do ones made of high speed. I used macor in applications where it had to withstand moderatly powerful laser hits and remain white. It starts with round on the outside edge being strongest and moves to 35 which is the weakest.