Can carbide cut metal?

Yes, cemented carbide can effectively cut metal, including a variety of common and specialised metals. Here’s a closer look at the capabilities of cemented carbide tools in cutting different metals and the applications in which these tools excel:

1. Iron

• Characteristics: Iron, including its alloys like carbon steel and alloy steel, exhibits high hardness and strength.
• Cutting Performance: Cemented carbide excels in cutting iron due to its robustness and durability, making it ideal for construction, mechanical manufacturing, and the automotive industry.

2. Steel

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• Characteristics: Steel, an alloy primarily of iron and carbon, also includes other alloying elements to enhance its properties.
• Cutting Performance: The high hardness and strength of steel are well-managed by cemented carbide tools, ensuring efficient cutting. This makes them suitable for use in construction, manufacturing, and aerospace sectors.

3. Aluminum

• Characteristics: Known for its light weight and lower hardness, aluminum has good thermal and electrical conductivity.
• Cutting Performance: The lower hardness of aluminum allows cemented carbide tools to cut with high efficiency and precision, which is particularly beneficial in aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries.

4. Copper

• Characteristics: Copper is highly malleable and excellent in electrical and thermal conductivity.
• Cutting Performance: Cemented carbide tools are effective in cutting copper, supporting its widespread use in electrical engineering, pipe manufacturing, and decorative arts.

5. Zinc

• Characteristics: Zinc is noted for its corrosion resistance and malleability.
• Cutting Performance: Cemented carbide tools are apt for cutting zinc and its alloys, which are commonly used in the construction, automotive, and electronics industries.

6. Nickel

• Characteristics: Nickel is distinguished by its corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength.
• Cutting Performance: While cemented carbide can cut nickel, the high hardness of nickel alloys can lead to rapid tool wear. In such cases, alternatives like CBN (Cubic Boron Nitride) or PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond) blades may be more effective.

7. Titanium Alloys

• Characteristics: Titanium alloys are lightweight, high-strength, and exhibit excellent corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength.
• Cutting Performance: Despite the challenges posed by the hardness and strength of titanium alloys, cemented carbide tools can effectively cut and process these materials, making them suitable for aerospace, medical devices, and automotive industries.

Conclusion

Cemented carbide is highly versatile and effective for cutting a wide range of metals. Its ability to handle different metal hardness and strengths makes it invaluable in numerous industrial applications, from simple cutting tasks to complex machining operations. Proper selection of tool types and cutting parameters is crucial to maximize the performance and longevity of cemented carbide tools in metal cutting operations.