Here’s an overview of the coatings we recommend based on our expertise and experience, along with their applications:
Coating Descriptions and Applications
AlTiN (Aluminum Titanium Nitride)
- Applications: The top all-purpose coating for most machining tasks.
- Advantages: Exceptional heat and wear resistance.
- Materials: Ideal for machining steels, stainless steels, cast iron, and heat-resistant alloys.
- Recommended Tool: 419C General Purpose End Mills and 4 Flute VX End Mills..
TiAlSiN (Titanium Aluminum Silicon Nitride)
- Applications: Perfect for demanding high-temperature operations.
- Advantages: Upgraded performance in tough machining conditions.
- Materials: Excels with cast iron, aerospace materials, and pre-hardened steels.
TiN (Titanium Nitride)
- Applications: A classic option for non-ferrous materials and light-duty machining.
- Advantages: Good wear resistance with a signature gold finish.
- Materials: Suited for some steels and non-ferrous materials.
TiCN (Titanium Carbonitride)
- Applications: Designed for high-speed machining.
- Advantages: Higher hardness and better heat resistance than TiN.
- Materials: Excellent for hardened steels and abrasive materials.
TiAlN (Titanium Aluminum Nitride)
- Applications: Optimized for high-speed machining.
- Advantages: Superior heat resistance and wear resistance.
- Materials: Perfect for steels, stainless steels, and high-temperature alloys.
TiSiN (Titanium Silicon Nitride)
- Applications: High-temperature machining and adhesive wear resistance.
- Advantages: Combines benefits of TiN and TiAlN.
- Materials: Excellent for high-temp applications.
Diamond Coating
- Applications: Extreme high-speed machining.
- Advantages: Unmatched hardness and wear resistance.
- Materials: Ideal for graphite, carbon fiber composites, and other abrasive materials.
Choosing the Right Coating
When selecting an endmill coating, consider these factors:
- Material Being Machined: Different coatings offer specific advantages based on material properties.
- Cutting Speed and Feed Rate: High-speed operations often require advanced coatings like TiAlSiN or Diamond.
- Machining Requirements: For extreme heat resistance, opt for coatings like AlTiN or TiSiN.
Coating Comparison Table
Here’s a comprehensive comparison table showing the specifics of each coating.
Coating |
Color |
Hardness (HV) |
Thickness (µm) |
TiN (Titanium Nitride) |
Gold |
2300 - 2500 |
2.2µ - 3.2µ |
TiCN (Titanium Carbonitride) |
Rose |
2800 - 3200 |
2.5µ - 3.5µ |
TiAlN (Titanium Aluminum Nitride) |
Dark Gray |
2900 - 3100 |
1.8µ - 3.2µ |
AlTiN (Aluminum Titanium Nitride) |
Dark Gray |
3000 - 3400 |
1.8µ - 3.2µ |
TiAlSiN (Titanium Aluminum Silicon Nitride) |
Gray |
3200 - 3500 |
1.8µ - 3.2µ |
ZrN (Zirconium Nitride) |
Pale Gold |
2300 - 2500 |
2.2µ - 3.8µ |
CrN (Chromium Nitride) |
Silver |
1800 - 2100 |
2.2µ - 3.8µ |
AlCrN (Aluminum Chromium Nitride) |
Blue - Gray |
3000 - 3200 |
1.8µ - 3.2µ |
AlCrN-HC (High Chromium Aluminum Nitride) |
Blue - Gray |
3000 - 3200 |
1.8µ - 3.2µ |