CUTTING TOOL MATERIALS
The chart below shows the relationship between various tool materials, in relation with hardness on a vertical axis and toughness on a horizontal axis.
Today, cemented carbide, coated carbide and TiC-TiN-based cermet are key tool materials in the market. As they offer a high balance of hardness and toughness.
GRADE CHARACTERISTICS
Hard Materials |
Hardness (HV) |
Energy Formation (kcal/g · atom) |
Solubility in Iron (%.1250r) |
Thermal Conductivity (W/m·k) |
Thermal* Expansion
(x 10-6/k) |
Tool Material |
Diamond |
>9000 |
– |
Highly Soluble |
2100 |
3.1 |
Sintered Diamond |
CBN |
>4500 |
– |
– |
1300 |
4.7 |
Sintered CBN |
Si3N4 |
1600 |
– |
– |
100 |
3.4 |
Ceramics |
Al2O3 |
2100 |
-100 |
0 |
29 |
7.8 |
Ceramics Cemented Carbide |
TiC |
3200 |
-35 |
< 0.5 |
21 |
7.4 |
Cermet Coated Carbide |
TiN |
2500 |
-50 |
– |
29 |
9.4 |
Cermet Coated Carbide |
TaC |
1800 |
-40 |
0.5 |
21 |
6.3 |
Cemented Carbide |
WC |
2100 |
-10 |
7 |
121 |
5.2 |
Cemented Carbide |
* 1W/m • K=2.39×10-3 cal/cm • sec • r