Terminalogy and Functions of Carbide End Mills

Carbide end mills are common in today's manufacturing sector of metalworking, composites and other machinable materials. There are many styles and variations of these styles, all having a purpose for their function. Depending on Your specific Application{s}, Equipment and Fixture/Holding capabilities, which are as critical as the end mill quality itself.

Carbide's base element/mineral is technically tungsten, it is derived from the Swiss language meaning heavy stone.

There are various grades - depending on manufacturers concoction. Most common in Today's market is referred to as Micro grain - Which is a combination of Tungsten Carbide with a Cobalt Binder and a Few other elements. - There are various grains Nano - Fine - Ultra Fine - Medium - Coarse - Etc. The finer a grain structure is - Transverse rupture strength increases

It is critical You as the User have an understanding why You will see such variations on cost of this product. Generic Manufacturers may use a different grain structure as opposed to Companies that specialize. Sintering and Centerless grinding processes may vary, both are critical even before the blank is loaded to a machine to be ground.

High Performance Type Grind - Again variations each serve a purpose

Unequal Index - includes a cutting part and a handle part, cutting part is provided with a plurality of flutes, each spirally extending from the bottom end to the handle part, unequal helix-angle end mill has high strength, and enhances the cutting depth and durability.

Variable flute - Flutes are spaced unequally, variable flute helix and and indexing reduces vibration allowing increased speeds and feeds.

Eccentric relief - Is a positive arched cutting edge - a convex surface vs. a concave (hollow ground) surface. An eccentric relief increases the strength of an end mill's cutting edges. Manufacturers normally polish for improved chip flow across the surface. {The eccentric is not a common grind among st most manufacturers} - It is cost prohibitive- Yet it is extremely effective if You have production or critical parts to be milled.