Sheffield-based Kyocera Unimerco Tooling Ltd (www.kyocera-unimerco.co.uk) has developed a new durable coating technology and base material for indexable cutting-tool inserts to improve steel machining.

The CA025P CVD-coated grade uses a thick film of aluminium oxide (Al2O3) for high levels of heat-resistance.

Moreover, the company says that using cemented carbide as the base material ensures excellent fracture resistance, long-term performance and extended tool life.

Cutting tools making use of CA025P inserts can accommodate machining applications from roughing to finishing (continuous and interrupted cuts) by using a variety of chip-breaker styles.

Kyocera says the development aims to help customers by reducing the frequency of insert replacements and improving production yield.