Tools for machining aluminum
Machining aluminum requires tools with certain special properties. Ideally, the cutting tools used for such materials allow for efficient removal of the material to avoid possible damage to the part and passivation of the cutting tool, also, the rake angle should be larger than that used for machining steel. Due to the high thermal conductivity of aluminum, the cooling process of the cutting tool does not require as much coolant flow as is sufficient to expel the separated material.
Some of the materials used for aluminum cutting tools are:
1. High-speed steel is a special high-performance steel that has high hardness and high wear resistance up to 500 ºC due to the ability of alloying elements such as tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium and chromium to form carbides. Cobalt is added for hardness. HSS tools are suitable for processing low-silicon aluminum alloys. Supports the use of large rake angles for better cutting conditions.
2. Cemented carbide is a mixture of tungsten carbide and cobalt (CW + Co). This coating provides longer tool life. They are used for machining aluminum with a high silicon content and for machining at high cutting speeds.
Diamond, polycrystalline diamond (PCD), is obtained by sintering a fine powder of granular diamond crystals into the desired shape at high temperature and pressure. Diamond tools are characterized by a long service life, even when machining alloys with a high silicon content. They are typically used for finishing machining of aluminum alloys that produce long chips, or on automatic machines that process aluminum that produces short chips.
In conclusion, it can be said that thanks to its physical and mechanical properties, aluminum is one of the most used metals by humans in numerous industrial fields, and as such it is one of the most mechanized production processes. The aluminum machining process requires far less energy than steel machining, and it operates at high cutting and feed rates, providing a premium surface finish.