Machining with a milling machine is a combination of a violent cutting action along with delicate control. To machine accurate parts, you need tools that operate at precise tolerances. Tools not only have to be sharp, but they also need the strength and rigidity to handle the strain of high speed machining. Carbide cutting tools are one of the best milling cutters when it comes to performance and long term edge retention.

What is Carbide?
Solid carbide is a specialized tool material. While it may look similar to steel and other alloys, tool carbide is actually a cemented material made by combining incredibly hard powdered carbide ceramic with a strong binding metal. By itself tungsten carbide is a grey powdered ceramic material that cannot be used to make tools on its own. Carbide is a pretty amazing material because it is twice as strong and twice as rigid as steel.

By mixing this powdered material with a binding metal, carbide tool stock gets positive traits from both materials. The metal portion of the material provides strength and flexibility while the ceramic portion provides rigidity and powerful edge retention. Because carbide is a ceramic, it can not lose its temper. This means that it is perfectly suited for high speed and high temperature operations where purely metallic tools would soften and lose their sharp cutting edges.

Using Carbide Cutters
Carbide cutting tools are suited for a wide range of milling applications. Because they can handle the heat that comes with friction, you can operate these tools at a wide range of speeds and feeds. Depending on the design of the cutter in question, you can use carbide tools for side milling, drilling, thread cutting, or other applications like milling aluminum.

Protecting Carbide Tools
Despite the fact that these tools are stronger than cutters constructed from materials such as high speed steel alloys, carbide tools still wear down over time. In order to protect tools, manufacturers will often treat them with specialized coatings.

Coatings like titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) are commonly used because they are extremely hard and help insulate end mills during use. TiAlN actually creates a fine layer of aluminum oxide on the surface of the cutter that helps to deflect heat away from the body of the tool so heat is lost with the chips instead of building on the cutting edges. These tools will obviously still get hot during use, but they should last much longer than untreated tools.

Finding Quality End Mills
If you are looking for some high quality carbide cutting tools, it’s worth looking into tools made by American manufacturers. Not only are these tools made to exact tolerances using quality materials, but working with manufacturers in your own country gives you easy access to customer service teams during your business hours. Online Carbide is an excellent tool manufacturer that machines high quality cutting tools which they sell directly to users at manufacturer direct prices. If you want amazing tools at great prices, visit their website at www.onlinecarbide.com.