In machining and milling operations, choosing the proper tool for the job is essential. Choosing an improperly suited tool can result in a poor-quality finished product, premature tool wear, and in extreme cases, catastrophic tool failure (shattering).
As important as it is to choose the right tool, it is also important to choose a mill or drill that has a coating that is appropriate for the machining application.
The following are some of the more common cutting tool coatings in the industry. Keep these in mind when looking for end mills or drill mills for sale.
● Titanium Nitride:
Often designated as TiN, titanium nitride increases the hardness of the surface layer of cutting tools, boosting wear resistance, cutting efficiency, and tool life, making them suitable for certain high-speed cutting applications.
● Titanium Aluminum Nitride:
Titanium aluminum nitride, or TiAlN, is common in carbide drill mills for sale. Like TiN, TiAlN increases surface hardness, but it has better high-heat resistance. It even maintains its surface hardness better at higher heats, improving chip evacuation rates. A similar coating is aluminum titanium nitride, or AlTiN, which has a higher aluminum content.
● Aluminum Titanium Nitride Nano:
AlTiN Nano is very similar to AlTiN, but it has the added benefit of some extra silicon added into the mix which creates a nanocomposite layer. These coatings offer improved hardness, heat resistance, and durability over traditional AlTiN coatings.
● Aluminum Chromium Nitride:
Aluminum chromium nitride coated carbide cutting tools are very hard and have anti-seizure traits, allowing them to produce a fine, smooth finish on machined materials.
● A Note on Diamond-Like Coatings (DLC):
Some cutting tools are finished with a coating known as a DLC, or a diamond-like coating, that is often applied through a process known as physical vapor deposition (PVD). DLC coatings improve surface hardness, resist cutting-edge rounding, and can improve the lubricity and wear-resistance of the tool, especially when used on non-ferrous materials. Why Are End Mills, Drill Mills, and Other Cutting Tools Coated?
● Wear-Resistance:
Many drill mill and end mill cuttings are designed to increase the surface hardness of the tool, which improves cutting efficiency, wear-resistance, and extends tool life.
● Heat-Resistance:
Some coatings are specifically designed to improve heat resistance, which extends tool life and helps ensure that the tool will continue to evacuate chips efficiently at high speeds. High-heat resistance also helps prevent heat-related damage, such as edge rounding.
● Lubricity:
Many coatings are intended to improve the dry lubricity of a cutting tool, which itself diminishes friction and helps prevent heat-related damage. Tools with excellent high lubricity may also, in certain situations, be used without coolant or cutting fluid, and still produce a high-quality finished product.
Where Can Find Get High-Quality, Coated Drill Mills for Sale?
Looking for end mills and drill mills for sale at manufacturer-direct prices? Visit Online Carbide at OnlineCarbide.com for a wide range of drill mills, end mills, and other cobalt-carbide cutting tools at great prices – all made in America, too, and orders over $250 get free shipping!
