Following the introduction of its newly developed IG3I substrate, Hampshire-based Horn Cutting Tools Ltd is optimising its DS solid carbide end mills to enable productive, cost-effective machining of titanium and its alloys.

By combining the novel carbide grade with a new coating, the tool specialist has been able to increase cutter life significantly.

Sharp micro-geometry on the cutting edges, positive rake angles, large clearance angles and polished flutes prevent strain hardening of the workpiece and built-up edges on the rake faces of the mill when machining titanium.

Variable helix angles and different tooth pitches ensure quiet, low-vibration milling.

Despite the sharp cutting edges, the new coating demonstrates very high layer adhesion, ensuring good edge stability. Thanks to its high temperature resistance, the coating serves as a heat shield and reduces the amount of heat transferred to the carbide, which demonstrates homogeneous wear.

The effective length is two or three times the diameter. DS titanium milling cutters were developed based on the tried-and-tested solid carbide milling cutters in the DS system, which for years have been used to machine soft and hardened steels, chromium-nickel steels and superalloys as well as copper, aluminium, plastics and fibre-reinforced plastics.

The end mills are available in diameters from 2 to 20mm as standard, with four or five flutes.