Grade Data - Heavy Turning

CVD Coated Grades

CVD coated grades start with solid substrates, many with cobalt-enriched surfaces to promote coating adhesion and enhance cutting characteristics. Coatings are applied through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in specialized furnaces. Materials such as titanium carbide, titanium nitride, titanium carbonitride, and aluminum oxide are applied in various thicknesses and combinations to create a variety of grades tailored to specific metalworking applications. These grades offer cobalt-enriched substrates which produce cutting edges with increased edge strength and fracture resistance. CVD coated grades can be used for machining cast irons, steels, stainless steels, and exotic materials.

PVD Coated Grades

PVD coated grades are based on solid substrates with the addition of thin layers of materials such as titanium nitride and titanium carbonitride through physical vapor deposition (PVD) in specialized furnaces. The thicknesses and combinations of these materials can be tailored to specific metalworking applications. PVD coatings have a smooth surface that generates less frictional heat, which lowers cutting forces and helps resist edge build-up that can result in chipping. Insert cutting edges are sharp or very lightly honed, which results in less chatter and finer surface finishes. PVD coated grades are best suited for machining steels, stainless steels, aluminum, and exotic materials.

Uncoated Grades

Uncoated carbide grades are composed of tungsten carbide and a cobalt binder, with some grades having an addition of titanium carbide and/or tantalum carbide, to enhance critical properties. Uncoated grades are very versatile and can be used in almost any metalcutting application for cutting iron, steel, stainless steel, high-temperature alloys, non-ferrous metals, and even non-metallic materials such as plastics and composites. These grades are best-suited to applications with lower cutting speeds or for short jobs.