About Carbide Cutting Tools

Cutting tools are an important part of any machine industries assembly line. There are different types of cutting tools available for machining, but the industry choices put carbide cutting tools and high speed steel at the top of the list. Carbide is quickly outpacing high speed steel as the material of choice, due to its strength and toughness. Its resistance to abrasions and other impact wear lengthens the life of the cutting tool while providing a much higher quality product. In addition, the assembly line works at a very productive pace because of carbide’s ability to cut at high speeds without warping.

What is Carbide?

Carbide is a chemical compounds made up of the element carbon, along with another metal, silicon or boron element. This combination can create many different types of carbide, though the most popular include carbon mixed with iron, tungsten or calcium. Carbide is then a material strong and powerful enough to cut through even the hardest of other elements, making it a perfect choice for tools used in machining systems.

Carbide Cutting Tools

Carbide cutting tools are separated into two categories. There are steel-grade carbides that can cut at high speeds while resisting the warping or deformation that can occur when the compounds reach the high heat that friction during cutting creates. Then there are cast iron carbides, known for their strength and ability to cut through cast iron without creating abrasions, chips or other wear.

As if carbide wasn’t strong enough on its own, it is usually coated with additional elements that add sharpness and strength to its power. Some variations include titanium carbine, ceramic coating and diamond coating. These further protect the carbide cutting tools as well as increase the production quality of the materials being created and cut by the machines.

Carbide Cutting Tool Benefits

Strength – Because carbide is a combination of carbon and a variety of other extremely strong chemical elements, the result is a material powerful enough to cut through cast iron. Its torque strength is twice that of high speed steel and its compression strength is equally impressive.

Toughness – Carbide cutting tools on their own are tough, but with the added coatings available, they become almost indestructible tools for the machine industry to use in their cutting machines. Resistant to abrasions, thermal deformation and other material wear, carbide produces a quality cut and rarely needs repair or replacement.

Value – Because carbide cutting tools work at high speeds without warping, and cut through even the toughest of materials, it keeps the assembly line working fast and productively. Its value is immense in that production loads can be increased without extra wear and tear on parts, as well as without any damage to the product being produced. Overall, this makes carbide cutting tools a preference over high speed steel for machinists and other industry professionals.

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