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Comparison of different cutting insert materials

Comparison of different cutting insert materials

2025-10-13

1. Material Comparison of Cutting Inserts

Material	Composition / Structure	Features	Typical Applications
Carbide Insert	Made of tungsten carbide (WC) bonded with cobalt (Co)	High hardness, high strength, excellent wear resistance, cost-effective	General machining of steel, stainless steel, and cast iron
Cermet Insert	Combination of ceramic (TiC, TiN) and metal binders (Ni, Co)	Excellent surface finish, oxidation resistance, good wear resistance but brittle	Finishing and semi-finishing of steel under stable conditions
Ceramic Insert	Made from aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) or silicon nitride (Si₃N₄)	Excellent high-temperature resistance, ideal for high-speed cutting	Hardened steel, cast iron, and dry cutting at high speeds
CBN Insert	Cubic Boron Nitride (synthetic superhard material)	Second hardest material after diamond, excellent thermal stability	Hard turning of hardened steel, tool steel, and high-hardness materials
PCD Insert	Polycrystalline Diamond sintered particles	Super hardness, excellent thermal conductivity, superior wear resistance	Aluminum alloy, copper, plastics, and composite materials

2. Performance Comparison Table

Property	Carbide	Cermet	Ceramic	CBN	PCD
Hardness	★★★★☆	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
Toughness	★★★★	★★★	★★	★★	★★
Wear Resistance	★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
Oxidation Resistance	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★
Cutting Speed	Medium	Medium–High	High	High	High
Cost	Medium	Medium–High	High	High	Very High

3. Typical Use Recommendations

Material	Recommended Applications
Carbide	Most versatile choice — suitable for roughing to finishing of steel, stainless steel, and cast iron
Cermet	Ideal for high surface finish and precision finishing of steel parts
Ceramic	Best for high-speed dry cutting of hardened steel and cast iron
CBN	Used for finishing of hardened steel, tool steel, and high-hardness materials
PCD	Perfect for non-ferrous materials like aluminum, copper, composites, and plastics

Summary

For general and durable cutting → choose Carbide
For mirror surface finish on steel → choose Cermet
For high-speed, high-temperature machining → choose Ceramic
For hardened steel and tool steel → choose CBN
For non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper) → choose PCD