Tungsten carbide or just carbide is a common material used in cutting tools. This tungsten-carbon compound has, literally, revolutionized the metal-cutting procedures over the years as they help achieve higher speeds and also ensure a longer life span for the cutting tools. Manufacturers also value the best cutting tools that can cut, grind, and shape products efficiently and maximize their business potential. Let’s explore the carbide cutting tools in more detail.

Main Components Of Carbide Cutting Tools

How cutting tools perform in a particular application is, primarily, dependent on their physical makeup. Carbide tools are made using a combination of tungsten and a binder holding its ingredients together – usually cobalt. They also use differently sized carbide grains while the carbide to binder ratio differs as well. Over time, different preferred blends of carbide and binder have been formulated to ensure better efficacy with a variety of cutting widths and depths and also the workpiece materials.

The cutting tools and inserts are made using “cemented tungsten carbide”, which is actually tungsten carbide grains. The size of these grains is important in the formulation of the tools as it determines the final product’s mechanical properties.  

Besides, the carbide cutting tools are either carbide-tipped or solid carbide tools. The carbide-tipped tools are the ones tipped in carbide while their solid carbide counterparts are made completely using this material. Generally, it is believed that the carbide-tipped tools offer better performance because their core components are still made using steel – a stronger, more reliable material compared to solid carbide.

Some carbide tools use insert coating to increase their lifespan. Generally, there are five different coatings used with these tools including Titanium Nitride, Titanium Carbide, Titanium Aluminum Nitride, Titanium Carbide-Nitride, and Aluminum Titanium Nitride. These coatings are usually meant to increase the hardness and/or lubricity of the tool. With the help of these coatings, the tool’s cutting edge can pass through any material rather cleanly making sure that the material doesn’t stick to it. This coating is also useful in decreasing the cutting temperature when the tool is used and, hence, it increases the tool’s life.

Why Prefer Carbide Tools For Cutting Materials?

Carbide cutting tools are widely used for metal cutting across a variety of manufacturing applications. That’s, particularly, because they are capable of producing great results and perfect cuts every time. Mostly, the carbide cutters give a perfect surface finish to the parts being cut. In addition, they make way for faster machining as compared to different high-speed steel and other tools being used today. Carbide tools are meant to easily withstand higher cutting temperatures as compared to the standard HSS tools. And, this is one of the main reasons why they help with higher cutting speeds. Furthermore, carbide tools can efficiently cut through tougher materials like stainless steel or carbon steel, and they are also effective in situations that cause other tools to wear away rather quickly.

For getting your hands at the best cutting tools, look no further than Suncoast Precision Tools – a name trusted widely in this industry. They have the widest selection of high-quality cutting tools on offer and it’s worth exploring their product catalog.