Why Are Metal Ceramic Blades Particularly Suitable for Processing Stainless Steel?

Metal ceramic blades are particularly suitable for processing stainless steel, mainly because stainless steel has several "difficult-to-handle" characteristics during cutting, and metal ceramics (Cermet) can precisely address these issues. The main reasons are as follows:

1. Not easy to stick to the blade (the most crucial reason) 

One typical problem with stainless steel during cutting is "tool sticking" / "chatter marks".

Reason:

• Stainless steel has high plasticity.

• It is prone to stick to the cutting edge of the tool during cutting.

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• Formation of built-up edge

Consequences:

• Surface is rough.

• Tool chipping or breaking

• Inconsistent dimensions

Metal ceramics mainly consist of TiC / TiCN / TiN. These materials:

• Has a low chemical affinity with stainless steel

• The surface friction coefficient is low.

• Not easy to adhere to metals

Result:

The cutting is smoother and less likely to stick to the blade.

2. High temperature resistance capability 

The cutting temperature during the processing of stainless steel is usually very high.

Reason:

• Stainless steel has poor thermal conductivity.

• The heat is concentrated at the cutting edge of the tool.

The problem with hard alloy:

• The bonding phase (cobalt) is prone to soften at high temperatures.

• The wear and tear is accelerating.

Advantages of Metal Ceramics:

• Higher hardness at high temperatures

• It maintains hardness at 800–1000°C.

Result:

The cutting tools wear out more slowly

3. Better surface quality 

Characteristics of metal ceramic cutting tools:

• The blade can be made extremely sharp.

• Low friction coefficient

• Cutting is more stable.

When processing stainless steel, the following issues may arise:

• Less burrs

• Less built-up edge wear

• The surface is smoother.

So in many industries:

Fine grinding of stainless steel → Preferentially use metal ceramics

For example:

• Axial parts

• Valve parts

• Medical parts

4. Strong anti-diffusion wear resistance 

At high temperatures, elements in the cutting tool and the workpiece material will undergo diffusion.

Hard alloy:

Cobalt (Co) readily reacts with the elements in steel.

Resulting in rapid wear and tear of the cutting tools

TiC/TiCN in metal ceramics:

• Higher chemical stability

• Less diffusion wear

Result:

The tool lasts longer

Summarize in a single sentence:

The difficulties in processing stainless steel are:

• Sticky blade + High temperature + Rapid wear and tear

• And metal ceramics precisely possess:

• Low adhesion

• Resistant to high temperatures

• High wear resistance

So in many cases of advanced processing: Metal ceramic blades > Hard alloy blades