Tungsten carbide is the primary material used for end mills, particularly in the form of coated tungsten carbide end mills. This material is renowned for its high hardness, impact resistance, shock resistance, wear resistance, and high strength, making it one of the hardest tool materials in the world, second only to diamond.
Detailed Explanation:
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Composition and Properties of Tungsten Carbide: Tungsten carbide end mills are made from tungsten carbide powder mixed with binder materials such as cobalt or nickel. This combination results in a material that is extremely hard and durable, capable of withstanding high temperatures and pressures during machining processes. The hardness of tungsten carbide is crucial for maintaining the sharpness and precision of the cutting edges, which is essential for achieving high-quality surface finishes and efficient material removal.
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Coating Technologies: The reference mentions the use of CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) coatings on tungsten carbide end mills. CVD involves depositing a thin layer of diamond-based material on the tungsten carbide surface. This coating is harder than Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) and provides twice the wear resistance. The CVD coating is particularly beneficial when machining materials like long-chipping aluminum and magnesium alloys, high-silicon aluminum, precious metal alloys, plastics with abrasive fillers, tungsten carbide itself, and ceramic green compacts. The coating enhances the tool's performance by reducing wear and maintaining cutting efficiency over prolonged use.
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Performance Advantages: The text provides evidence of the superior performance of CVD diamond-coated end mills over uncoated and TiN-coated tungsten carbide tools. In machining tests, CVD diamond-coated end mills demonstrated significant durability and resistance to wear, even under high-stress conditions. In contrast, uncoated and TiN-coated tools showed rapid wear and failure, with cutting temperatures exceeding 900°C. The CVD diamond coating not only extended the tool life but also maintained the precision of the machining process, reducing the frequency of tool changes and improving overall efficiency.
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Applications and Benefits: The use of diamond-coated end mills, particularly in machining graphite and other abrasive materials, has led to substantial improvements in tool life and machining efficiency. For instance, in machining a graphite electrode, a diamond-coated end mill provided a 15-fold improvement in tool life compared to a TiN-coated carbide end mill. This not only resulted in faster processing times but also led to cost savings due to fewer tool changes and maintenance requirements.
In summary, tungsten carbide, especially when coated with CVD diamond, is extensively used in end mills due to its exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and ability to maintain cutting precision, which are critical for achieving high-quality machining results in various industrial applications.
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