Carmex's Diamond Turning Inserts Handle Difficult Alloys and Composites

Carmex Precision Tools has introduced diamond turning inserts designed to enable users to machine hard materials faster than with grinding or ceramic tools. These inserts are available with either one or two cutting edges.

The polycrystalline diamond (PCD) inserts are said to excel when machining nonferrous materials such as high-silicon aluminum, copper and brass alloys, magnesium, carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs), and composites.

The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) inserts are designed for machining aluminum and magnesium alloys, high-silicon aluminum, precious metal alloys, plastics with abrasive fillers, tungsten carbide, and ceramic green compacts. A chipbreaker reduces heat generation and energy consumption, the company says.

The polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) inserts provide good surface finish in materials like hardened and heat-treated steels up to 72 HRC, high speed steel (HSS), high alloyed steels hardened to 45 HRC, nickel-based superalloys, gray cast iron, ductile steel and graphite.