Ceramic inserts, also known as ceramic cutting inserts are cutting tools used in machining and metalworking processes. They are typically based on aluminum oxide, silicon nitride or carbide and are designed to replace traditional carbide cutting inserts in certain machining operations. Ceramics is used due to its unique properties, which include higher hardness and red-hardness than that of carbide.
Features of Ceramics Cutting Inserts
The main feature of cutting ceramics is the absence of a binder, which significantly reduces its softening when heated and allows for the usage cutting speeds much higher than those achievable with carbide inserts.
Ceramic inserts are primarily used in applications where the benefits of their hardness, heat resistance, and wear resistance outweigh their brittleness. Mainly these are finishing operations under rigid technological system conditions.
Development of ceramics cutting tools offers an advantage due to the ready availability of raw materials, unlike carbide, which relies on tungsten, a material subject to supply constraints and price fluctuations.
As the cutting tool manufacturer, WENZA has a few grades to optimize the performance of ceramics inserts in specific cutting operations. The selection of the appropriate ceramics grade depends on factors such as the workpiece material, cutting conditions, and the desired machining outcome. Refer to the table below to learn more about ceramics grades and their characteristics.
SOG;Al2O3+TiC;âš«;2100;4;General purpose grade for cast iron and hardened steels;High thermal stability
SOB;Al2O3+TiCN;âš«;2150;4.5;Basic grade for machining hardened and alloyed steel;Excellent wear resistance. CBN alternative
SOF;Al2O3+TiCN;âš«;2200;4.5;Hardened steel and cast iron finishing;Fine grained structure
SOHF;Al2O3+TiCN;âš«;2250;4.7;Hardened steel and cast iron finishing at high cutting speed;Excellent wear resistance and heat resistance
SOZ;Al2O3+ZrO2;â—¯;1800;4.5;Finishing and semi-finishing of cast iron and hardened steel;Hardening with zirconium. High chemical resistance
SOC;TiC+Al2O3;âš«;2200;4.5;Ductile iron with spheroidal graphite and hard materials finishing;High thermal stability, can be used with coolant
SNM;Si3N4;âš«;1600;5;Interrupted cutting roughing. Roll mill machining. Milling;Sintering without pressure. High strength and heat resistance
SNB;Si3N4;⚪;1700;6;Roughing of cast iron at high speeds;Improved wear resistance at high cutting speeds
SNB2;Si3N4;âš«;1600;6.5;Interrupted cutting roughing at high speed;Excellent wear-resistance during SNB2 Si3N4 1700 6.5 interrupted cutting
SNS;Si3N4+Al2O3;⚪;1750;6;Nickel-based alloy machining. Interrupted cutting roughing of cast irons;Good thermal stability and thermal conductivity. Great for dealing with long chips in nickel based alloys
SSS;Si3N4;âš«;1800;7;Cast iron roughing and interrupted cutting. Turning of hard-to-machine heat-resistant super alloys;Increased hardness. SiAlON. Excellent temperature resistance and thermal conductivity
SWH;Al2O3+SiCw;🟢;2100;7;Machining of high speed steel, high chromium steel at medium and low cutting speeds. Heavy interrupted roughing and semi-finishing;Excellent resistance to flank wear and crater wear at high cutting speed
SWS;Al2O3+SiCw;🟢;2100;7;Machining of nickel and cobalt based alloys at high cutting speed. Roughing and finishing continuous and light interrupted cutting;Excellent resistance to flank wear and crater wear at high cutting speed
Apart from common ceramics inserts, we at WENZA offer customized ceramics inserts. The geometry of the cutting insert, its shape and cutting edge angles can be designed to suit the specific cutting operation. For more information about customization options refer to the table below.
Cutting Edge Designs
Selecting the right ceramic cutting insert is an important decision that can significantly impact machining performance, tool life, and overall productivity. Take the time to assess your specific needs, consider such factors as material, cutting speed, and surface finish requirements to determine the tool you need.
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Availability in Shapes and Sizes for Ceramics Inserts
Ceramics cutting inserts by WENZA are available in various shapes and sizes, allowing you to select the most suitable tool for your specific application. The choice of shape and size depends on the specific cutting task and the type of machinery being used. Refer to the tables below to learn the shapes and sizes of ceramics inserts available at WENZA.
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