Suitable for manufacturers in the oil and gas and aerospace industries, where Inconel, Rene, Hastelloy, Waspalloy and other challenging materials are the daily challenge, NTK’s Ceramatic line features an optimised helix angle and edge design that the company says provides high levels of toughness and wear resistance when machining heat resistant alloys. Furthermore, the geometry helps to evacuate chips at speed, while generating a smooth cutting action that minimises the cutting forces on both the tool and machine spindle.
The composition of the Ceramatic end mill and the special geometry enable the tool to run at cutting speeds from 300 to 1,000 mm/min. In addition, Ceramatic tools can machine at a depth of cut up to 2 mm for face milling and slotting, and 6 mm for side milling.
Both the four and six-flute variants are available in a choice of 8, 10 and 12 mm diameters, with imperial dimensions including 3/8 and ½ inch diameter. The 8, 10 and 12 mm four-flute end mills have a neck diameter of 7.6, 9.6 and 11.6 mm, with a maximum effective length of 6, 7.5 and 9 mm and an overall length of 60, 65 and 70 mm respectively.
NTK’s six-flute Ceramatic end mill is offered in identical dimensions with the exception of the necked tool shank. Both variants incorporate a corner radius of 1, 1.25 and 1.5 mm for the respective 8, 10 and 12 mm tools.