Why Use Carbide Tipped Tools?

Always More Cost Effective Than High Speed Steel Tools

  1. Carbide tipped tools retain their cutting edge hardness at high machining temperatures generated by high cutting speeds and feeds that reduce machining cycle time.
  2. Carbide tipped tools improve surface finish and hold size far longer for better quality.
  3. Carbide tipped tools last far longer because the carbide chip forming surface resists wear as the chip flows over the tools. This greatly reduces need for costly changes with increased scrap and rework.
  4. Carbide tipped tools should always be used when machining highly abrasive materials.

 

Usually More Effective Than Solid Carbide

  1. Carbide tipped tools are far more durable than solid carbide tools. Under abnormal conditions the carbide may start to crack due to hard spots in the material being machined, incorrect feed rates or inadequate holding of workpiece. These cracks that shatter solid carbide tools are stopped in carbide tipped tools by the tough hardened tool steel body – usually permitting the tool to complete the production run. 
  2. The carbide grade in carbide tipped tools can be selected wholly based on its cutting and wear characteristics rather than compromising for the carbide’s structural strength, as is required for solid carbide tools. Some high cost specialty carbides necessary for aggressive machining of many tough alloys are not even available in solid carbide round form. 
  3. Although carbide tipped tools use higher quality more costly carbide, the overall cost is usually substantially less than solid carbide tools because only the thick cutting edge is carbide. The body and shank are made from less costly tough hardened tool steel.
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