Tips for Machining Stainless Steel

Video of Teton Creek Mfg turning Stainless Steel

Here are a list of tips for machining stainless steel:

1. Use a tool that has higher thermal-conductivity
Low thermal-conductivity of stainless steels accelerates tool wear resulting from a decline in hardness of the cutting edge of an insert, this is due to heat piling up. It is better to use a tool that has higher thermal conductivity and with enough coolant.

2. Sharper cutting edge-line
It is necessary to utilize larger rake-angles and wider chip-breaker lands to reduce cutting-load pressue and prevent build-up on the edge. This will help provide better chip control to an operator.

3. Optimal cutting condition
Inappropriate machining conditions like extremely low or high speeds or low feeds can cause poor tool life due to work hardening of work pieces.

4. Choose an appropriate tools
Tools for stainless steel should have good toughness attributes, enough strength on their edge line (cutting edge) & a higher film adhesion.

Korloy offers three grades turning stainless steel:

For high speed turning of stainless steel - NC9020

For medium to low speed turning of stainless steel - PC9030

For medium to low speed milling of stainless steel - PC9530

For Korloy carbide inserts for stainless steel, please visit pgsTools.com to order online.