The new Ceramatic series of solid-ceramic end mills for machining heat-resistant super-alloys are said to offer productivity levels 10-times greater than that of solid-carbide equivalents.

Featuring NTK’s SiAlON SX9 ceramic grade and available from Hemel Hempstead-based NTK Cutting Tools, Ceramatic cutters are available in four- or six-flute variants (www.ntkcuttingtools.co.uk).

These cutters can be applied in the oil and gas and aerospace industries, where Inconel, Rene, Hastelloy, Waspalloy and other ‘challenging’ materials are used.

Moreover, NTK has introduced a completely new geometry for its new Ceramatic series, with an optimised helix angle and cutting edge designed to provide high levels of toughness and wear-resistance.

The cutters also offer flexibility, with the four-flute variant capable of slotting, pocketing and ramping operations, while the greater toughness of the six-flute variant allows it to undertake face milling, side milling and profiling — plus ramping operations.

The design of Ceramatic’s geometry ensures that chips are evacuated efficiently, while also providing a smooth cutting action that minimises the cutting forces on both the end mill and the machine spindle.

With regard to cutting performance, these cutters can run at feed rates from 300mm/min to 1m/min on the most challenging alloys, with depths of cut up to 2mm for face milling and slotting, and 6mm for side milling.

Both the four- and six-flute variants are available with a choice of 8, 10 and 12mm diameters (with imperial dimensions including 3/8 and 1/2in diameters).

The 8, 10 and 12mm four-flute end mills have a maximum effective length of 6, 7.5 and 9mm respectively. The six-flute Ceramatic end mill is offered in identical dimensions (with the exception of the necked tool shank).

Both variants incorporate a corner radius of 1, 1.25 and 1.5mm for the 8, 10 and 12mm tools respectively.