The industrial chain of end mills

End mills, as key rotary cutting tools used in milling processes within the manufacturing industry, are primarily made from two types of materials: high-speed steel and cemented carbide. High-speed steel, also known as high-speed tool steel or molybdenum steel, is categorized into general-purpose and special-purpose types based on its application. This type of steel contains a high proportion of alloying elements such as tungsten, chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium. After heat treatment, its hardness can reach HRC 62 to 70, and it can still maintain its hardness characteristics even under high-temperature conditions of 600°C. Cemented carbide, on the other hand, is a composite material made through powder metallurgy processes from metal carbides such as tungsten carbide and titanium carbide, along with a metallic binder primarily composed of cobalt. A significant feature of this material is its high-temperature resistance, allowing it to maintain excellent cutting performance at temperatures between 800 to 1000°C. Compared to high-speed steel, cemented carbide can achieve cutting speeds that are 4 to 8 times higher, with high hardness and good wear resistance, although it has relatively lower bending strength and impact toughness, and it is difficult to sharpen the edge very sharply.