A Comparative Study on Cutting Tool Performance in High-Speed Face-Milling of Hardened Tool Steels

In this study cutting speeds and tool life constants for seven different cutting tools are investigated while high-speed face milling of four different much used hardened tool steels.1.2379 and 1.2080 cold-work tool steels, 1.2344 hot-work tool steel and 1.2738 plastic mold steel were machined with PVD TiN coated ceramic, PCBN, PVD TiN coated carbide, PVD TiAlN coated carbide cermet, CVD TiN-TiCN-Al2O3 coated carbide, uncoated carbide and uncoated cermet cutting tools. Wear of cutting tools measured for all species after every pass. Also, the tool life constants for each tool materials are calculated and are given for convenient tool material. Generally, PCBN tool gave the best results in high-speed face milling of all hardened tool steels. Unexpectedly uncoated carbide and uncoated cermet gave useful results while high-speed face milling of hardened 1.2344 hotwork tool steel.