Cutting Tool Materials 321

Cutting Tool Materials provides an in-depth discussion of various cutting tool materials and their properties. Effective cutting tools combine a handful of valuable properties: hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. Cutting material selection is based primarily on the workpiece material, machine tool, and cutting operation, and involves an appropriate balance of properties. Available cutting tool materials have expanded and improved over the years, ranging from the very tough and inexpensive to the very hard and expensive. Other tool modifications, such as heat treatment and tool coatings, can also improve cutting tools. Selecting the proper cutting tool material is essential for a successful machining operation. The tool material dictates the material removal rate, surface finish and tolerance, and expense to the manufacturer in the form of reduced scrap, extended tool life, production rates, and part quality.