Carbide inserts are part of a cutting tool that conducts high-precision machining of a workpiece by removing material to form chips. These elements are used for turning, drilling, coredrilling, milling, as well as reaming and other operations, which guarantee the accuracy of processing.
In the manufacture of these elements, pressed powders are used, made on the basis of titanium carbide, tungsten carbide and other compounds, which are fused when exposed to high temperatures and are mechanically processed. Ultimately, the plates gain wear resistance, hardness, as well as heat resistance. By the way, about the last characteristic, it can be noted that the plates quite easily tolerate exposure up to 1150 degrees. This ensures a stable quality of material processing and durability, provided that the correct cutting mode.
Types of plates by mounting method
Carbide inserts, which are on sale today in a large assortment, can be classified according to various criteria, among them it is necessary to highlight the method of fastening in the tool. According to this parameter, the elements can be divided into two groups. The first group: soldered plates. The second includes carbide replaceable plates. The latter are fixed mechanically, which allows to accelerate the process of replacing failed plates. Among other things, they can be used repeatedly.
The first method is provided by turning the plate, while it is possible to exploit multifaceted disposable elements. Replacement in this case is not provided because of the difficulty in ensuring the necessary geometry of the edge. Brazed plates are attached and held in the tool, and are sharpened again as they become blunt.
Types of plates by variety of hard alloy
Carbide inserts may differ in type of hard alloy, which determines the mechanical characteristics and scope of use. For example, VK8 is used for roughing, namely milling, planing and cutting, and workpieces made of structural steels, gray cast iron, and also difficult to process alloys can be used. On sale you can find plates T15K6, which are used for finishing or semi-milling, turning and other types of processing of carbon and alloy steels.
Varieties of plates in geometric form
Carbide inserts can have a round, square, rhombic, pentahedral, trihedral shape, and also have the form of a parallelogram. The number of faces is determined by the number of cutting edges and the duration of use during processing.
Areas of use for VK3, VK3M and VK6 plates
The first of these are brazed carbide inserts, they are used for fine turning with a small section of the cut, the expansion of holes, as well as the final threading. You can use such elements in other similar types of work when there is a need to use non-ferrous metals, gray cast iron and alloys, non-metallic materials such as fiber, glass, rubber, plastic and fiberglass. With success VK3 are used for cutting sheet glass.
VK3M is used for turning, tapping, boring and reaming, which is finishing. In this case, bleached cast iron, hard alloy steels, cemented and hardened steels, as well as highly abrasive materials that do not contain metal, can be used. Cutters with VK6 carbide inserts are successfully used for semi-roughing or rough turning, milling of complex surfaces, preliminary threading, as well as boring and drilling holes. You can work with gray cast iron, non-ferrous metals and alloys, as well as materials that do not include metal.
Cutter Plates
Carbide inserts for cutters are made according to different state standards. For example, on the basis of GOST 25395-90, plates for boring, boring, revolving cutters are produced. The same standards apply to cutting tools when there is a need to obtain blind holes. In this case, revolving cutters can also be used. GOST 25402-90 are used for machine tools, as well as boring, boring and straight. GOST 25398-90 are taken as a basis when plates are made for threaded and finishing cutters.
Sandvik brand plates
Sandvik carbide inserts go on sale in different alloys. For example, AC25 is a product that can be considered one of the latest achievements. Such inserts are widely used in processing in a wide range of cutting conditions. Particularly well suited for working with cast iron, stainless alloys, as well as structural steels. Using these elements, you can get high precision machining, as well as wear resistance at a cutting speed of 100 to 200 m per minute. AC40 are carbide replaceable inserts, which are also used for processing various materials. They showed themselves perfectly in working with alloys based on chromium and nickel, the plate is able to perform its work without flaws, and with semi-finished processing it shows high efficiency even at a cutting speed of 200 m per minute.
Plate alloys
AL20 is an element that has a titanium coating and an additional lubricating layer; during operation, the elements provide an insignificant coefficient of friction, which allows for less heating in the cutting area. It is particularly preferable to use such plates for processing alloy steels.
AL40 is a carbide insert that also has a titanium coating, but is used for milling operations accompanied by vibration. It is preferable to operate these elements at low cutting speeds, only then the plate will cope with the processing of heat-resistant alloys.
The AP25 is a replacement part that is used on a cutting tool. The plate acts as a general-purpose product, has no coating and is advantageously used in the processing of stainless, alloy and carbon steels. Hard alloy allows to obtain high stability and strength of the plate during roughing.
AP40 is commonly used for roughing and roughing of structured and tool steels, as well as for working with steel castings. It copes with heavy loads, so the plate can be used under especially difficult conditions.