Selecting the right cutting tool from hundreds of options is an extremely difficult task. However, selecting a tool that can produce low cutting forces with a good surface finish and smooth cutting action can be made easier if certain criteria are considered.
The industry of cutting tools has grown rapidly in recent years. Carbide inserts are now one of the most used parts in CNC machines. But how do you select an appropriate carbide insert? Ideally, after spending time researching, you will have a clear idea about what is important for your particular application. The only thing left to do is to compare the various brands, such as coated and uncoated carbide inserts.
If you want to learn how to choose the best carbide inserts for your work, read this blog. Carbide inserts are the most commonly used type of cutting tool. Here you’ll get a thorough understanding of the types of carbide inserts, their benefits and limitations, and how to choose the right ones for your applications. Let’s get started!
What are carbide inserts?
Carbide inserts aren’t just for metal. They are used in almost any material from glass to plastics and are often found in high-precision cutting tools. Carbide inserts come in various sizes and
styles for different applications, with the four most common being turning, milling, drilling, and reaming.
Due to the high-quality cutting that carbide is capable of, it can be quite expensive. To offset this drawback, many cutting tools make use of multiple materials. For example, a steel shank may be attached to a carbide insert to form a “carbide tool holder” or CTH. The steel shank provides rigidity while the carbide insert performs the actual machining work. This allows for the cost-efficient use of carbide without sacrificing performance.
While carbide may be brittle compared to other tool materials, it doesn’t chip easily and lasts longer than most options. It is also the only non-ferrous material that can be used on hardened steel at temperatures up to 2500 degrees Fahrenheit (1371 degrees Celsius). This makes it perfect for machining steels and other non-ferrous metals.
Uses of carbide insert:
1. Surgical tools:
Carbide tips are used in many surgical procedures, particularly orthopedic and dental procedures. The tip is attached to a handpiece that is used to perform the procedure. Carbide tips are also used in some instances of cosmetic surgeries. These tips are small enough to allow for precise work and the tool itself is durable enough to be sterilized multiple times before it requires replacement.
2. Jewelry:
Carbide and tungsten inserts are widely used by jewelers. Moreover, they are used for shaping and making jewelry. The hardness of tungsten material is inferior to diamond, which is why it is commonly used in jewelry making. Tungsten rings are very popular among people who like wearing jewelry.
Carbide and tungsten inserts are efficient tools used by jewelers while they work on expensive pieces of jewelry.
3. Nuclear Science:
In the 1940s, it was discovered that when tungsten carbide is bombarded with neutrons, it creates a fissionable isotope of uranium. This discovery led to the fabrication of nuclear reactors and the commercialization of nuclear power. Tungsten carbide was an integral part of early research into nuclear chain reactions, especially for weapons protection.
Today’s nuclear science industry depends on tungsten carbide inserts for a wide array of applications that require an efficient neutron reflector. These include control rods for nuclear reactors and various medical devices.
How to choose carbide inserts?
Carbide inserts are strong, wear-resistant, and heat-resistant materials that are essential for the machining of hard metals. The choice of grade is essential in achieving optimum performance out of the machine tool.
Carbide grades are categorized by their composition. For example, grades 3 and 4 consist of an oxide matrix with tungsten carbide grains of different sizes. The size of the grains decreases as the grade number increases, so grade 4 has smaller grains than grade 3. This helps in achieving greater wear resistance because carbide inserts with smaller grains help support larger cutting forces without being worn away quickly.
Another important aspect to consider when choosing carbide inserts is the grain setback. In general, carbides with a deeper grain set-back will be more effective at resisting heat and some would even be able to withstand high temperatures generated when machining hard steels. However, this also means that these inserts are not as effective at cutting hard metals compared to those with shallow setbacks. Grade 1 carbide inserts have 100% grain set back, while grades 10 and 11 have only 3% or less grain set back, respectively. This is because grades 10 and 11 can withstand higher temperatures than grades 1 thru 9, respectively.
Conclusion: We at Al Rizq Al Halal Trading are a firm that deals with carbide inserts and other machining tools. Carbide inserts are invaluable to machinists because they can be used in a variety of materials, including cast iron and high-temperature alloys. We deal with top quality and high-functioning products and are a prominent carbide inserts dealer.
The advantages of these carbide inserts over the other products are plenty. First of all, they have an increased cutting speed. These inserts have been proven to provide a faster cutting speed by 50% than their counterparts. They also provide a better surface finish to the end product when compared to the conventional methods of cutting. The inclusion of such carbide inserts reduces the power requirements, thus making it very cost-effective on the part of the user.
Another advantage is that these carbide inserts do not require any lubrication or cooling fluids while being used, which eliminates the hassle of replacing or cleaning them after they wear out.
In addition to this, they also do not need any form of coolant or lubricant while being used, which eliminates the hassle of replacing or cleaning them after they wear out. They are versatile and can be used in several applications, including metalworking applications.
