CVD Diamond Coated Cemented Carbide Inserts

Abstract

The cutting performance of CVD diamond coated cemented carbide (WC-6%Co) inserts pretreated by etching was studied and compared with those of uncoated cemented carbide inserts. Diamond coated inserts pretreated with acid etching and Murakami solution etching yielded a cutting lifetime of 136 and 180 min , respectively, for cutting an aluminium alloy of Al-12%Si with a cutting speed v of 201 m/min, a feed rate f of 24 mm/min and a cutting depth ap of 0·5 mm. Uncoated inserts yielded a lifetime of only 15 min. This demonstrates that the application of CVD diamond coating to WC - 6%Co inserts can greatly improve their cutting performance and increase their cutting lifetime.