Stainless steel

ISO M

Machining of stainless steel tool

Stainless steels are alloys with the element iron (Fe) as the major constituent and with a minimum of 12% chromium. Their machinability differs depending on their alloying elements, heat treatment and manufacturing processes (forged, cast, etc.), although machinability-improved versions of all groups of stainless steels exist.

Typical of stainless steels is their generally low carbon content (C ≤ 0.05 %). Various additions of nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb) and titanium (Ti) supply different characteristics, such as resistance to corrosion and strength at high temperatures. Different conditions, such as ferritic, martensitic, austenitic and austenitic-ferritic (duplex), create a large range of materials. Chrome combines with oxygen (O) to create a passivating layer of Cr₂O₃ on the surface of the steel, which provides a non-corrosive property to the material.

Our coating solutions for stainless steel

Hardcut™ Plus

Hardcut™ Plus, a TiSiN based multi-layer coating, has been developed for high speed end-milling and gear hobbing of the hardest and toughest materials including exotic nickel and titanium alloys under low lubrication and dry conditions.

Optimizer™ Plus

Optimizer™ Plus is the latest premium coating of the Ionbond plus-family. At the top of our product line, and in addition to Crosscut™ Plus, this new AlCrN based coating is the optimal coating for wet and dry machining at medium to high speeds for milling, hobbing and bevel cutting operations with temperatures reaching up to 1080°C.

In general, machinability of stainless steel decreases with a higher alloy content, but free-machining or machinability-improved materials are available in all groups of stainless steels. For instance, sulfur (S) can be added to improve machinability.
When machining any kind of stainless steel, the tools’ cutting edges are exposed to a great deal of heat, notch wear and built-up edge. The material tends to create long chips; machining involves high cutting forces and a tendency to a built-up edge. This influences the type of coating that can best be applied to increase tool lifetime and machining performance.
Ionbond engineers would be happy to discuss your application and help determine the most appropriate coating.

Application examples

Milling of stainless steel with end mill

An OEM customer is looking for a coating to improve the 8 mm square cemented carbide end mill used to mill 1.4122 stainless steel. The milling process uses coolant, at a tool rotation speed of 8000 rpm and a cutting speed of 201 m/min. Axial depth is 8 mm and radial depth 0.4 mm.

Milling of SUS360 stainless steel

An aerospace customer is searching for the best coating to support milling of SUS360 steel with a 20 mm diameter end mill with 4 flutes. Cutting speed is 120 m per minute, under wet conditions.

Get in touch

Discuss your challenges with Kalpak Shaha

Dr. Kalpak Shaha, Global Segment Manager Cutting Tools, will be glad to support you.