Carbide tools for cast iron processing
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Carbide tools and cast iron
Cast iron is an iron-carbon alloy with a relatively high carbon content, obtained by heat treating iron ores. Therefore, since cast iron is a ferrous material, carbide is the most suitable choice for its processing.
Furthermore, to make it suitable for processing with cemented carbide tools, it also has the following characteristics:
- Poor tensile strength
- Modest flexural strength
- Good compressive strength
- Hardness
- Good thermal conductivity
- Easy to process for casting purposes
- Fluidity
As a result of these characteristics, cast iron is used in various applications, and allows for:
- A cost-effective production
- Wear resistance
- Good workability
- The creation of very complex shapes
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Cemented carbide tools for cast iron processing.
To understand which tools are most suitable for processing cast iron, you need to first consider its workability. In fact, cast iron presents itself as a material in which:
- Good chip control is possible
- There is a specific cutting force between 790 and 1350 N/mm²
- High-speed machining causes abrasion wear
- Special attention is required for machining when graphite is included in the matrix
- Coolant-free processing is recommended to minimise dust contamination.
For these reasons, cemented carbide tools are recommended for processing cast iron, as they adapt to the particular geometric shapes and cuts, unlike the tools for processing other materials such as steel.
However, any type of tool can be designed to process this material, such as:
- Mill cutters and inserts
- Precision reamers
- Special-shaped mill cutters
- Countersinks
Carbide tools and types of cast iron
There are various types of cast iron and as a consequence, each has specific characteristics and workability criteria.
The best-known types of cast iron are:
- Grey cast iron
- White cast iron
- Malleable cast iron
- Lamellar graphite cast iron
- Spheroidal graphite cast iron (also called ductile or nodular)
When processing different types of cast iron, it is always advisable to use carbide tools, and then diversify them according to the type.
That’s why here at TOMMASIN, we boast a full range of carbide tools, and a section dedicated to cast iron processing tools, so that each client can find the tool that best suits their needs.
Furthermore, TOMMASIN can also create your own customised special tool carbide, braze-welded or PCD.