Are carbide cutting tools safe?

Published On: August 31, 2020

Carbide cutting tools surely bring convenience to our work. But knowing how to use them properly and safely is very vital. This article will talk about these, read on to find out more.

Here are the main points of the article:

Are carbide cutting tools safe?

What are the features of carbide cutting tools?

How should we handle carbide cutting tools?

1. Are carbide cutting tools safe?

  • The proportion of hard tool material is large. Therefore, they require special attention as heavy materials when they are large in size or quantity.
  • Carbide cutting tools produce dust and fog during grinding or heating. This dust and fog are harmful when it comes in contact with the eyes or skin, or when swallowed in large quantities. It is recommended to use a local ventilator, dust mask, glasses, and gloves when grinding. If your hands come into contact with dust, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. Do not eat in contact areas. Wash hands thoroughly before eating. Remove dirt from clothes by cleaning or washing, but don’t shake it off.
  • Cobalt and nickel found in carbide cutting tools may be carcinogenic to humans, according to reports. Cobalt-nickel dust and fog can reportedly affect the skin, respiratory organs, and the heart through repeated or prolonged exposure.
  • For further information, refer to the Security Data Sheet.

2. What are the features of carbide cutting tools?

  • Cleaner cuts and finishes: A key factor in carbide cutting tools is that the edge will remain sharper for longer. Unlike steel, which wears away immediately, carbides do not break down or become blunt over time. Because it keeps a sharper edge, it also means you get a cleaner, neater finish. Whether it’s cutting hardwood or metal, the result of cleaning will save you time and money. Rather than having to polish the defects after the fact, your work will be ready for service almost immediately. In addition, carbide cutting tools do not damage particles too much when cutting wood. Carbides produce better results than steel.
  • Long-lasting: When you combine the durability of steel with the fineness of cemented carbide, you have a tool that lasts a long time. As we have already mentioned, you can replace tips without replacing new tools, so high-quality carbide tip models will last longer than the best HSS options. Again, the investment in converting to carbon may seem expensive at first, but in the end, you’ll get a lot of value, making it a better choice for any manufacturer.

3. How should we handle carbide cutting tools?

  • The diamond grinding wheel is used for finishing so as to reduce the effect that surface conditions bring to the toughness of the carbide cutting tool.
  • Hard tool material is very hard and brittle at the same time. As a result, they can be broken by impact and overexertion.
  • Hard tool material and black material have different thermal expansion ratios. Shrinkage or expansion fits may crack when the application temperature is above or below the appropriate tool temperature.
  • Pay special attention to the storage of carbide cutting tools. The toughness of carbide cutting tools is reduced by the corrosion of coolant and other liquids.
  • When brazing carbide cutting tools, if the melting temperature of brazing material is too high or too low, looseness and fracture may occur.
  • After the tool is polished again, make sure there are no cracks.
  • Machining carbide cutting tools in EDM may lead to surface cracks due to residual electrons after EDM, thus reducing toughness. Eliminate these cracks by grinding and so on.

We hope that after reading this article, you can tell how to use the carbide cutting tools safely. For more technical support, feel free to contact us.

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