What’s so Special about TiAlN Coated End Mills?

If you work with milling tools, then you already know that there are a lot of different types of cutting tools available on the market. Obviously you need different types of tools to perform different milling operations, but even tools in the same category can differ significantly from one another. One factor that has a major impact on tool performance is the coating used on that tool. If you are wondering why you should choose TiAlN coated end mills over uncoated options, today we will be looking at the impact that this material can have on your tools.

Material coatings on tools might sound like they can add bulk to the cutting edges and potentially result in dull tools, but this is far from the truth. Coatings on tools are not applied in a liquid form like painted materials. Instead the material coating material is vaporized in a vacuum and resolved on the body of the tool. This process creates extremely thin coatings that do not negatively impact the cutting power of your tools. Because the process occurs in a vacuum, the coating material is able to bond directly to the body of the tool without risk of air bubbles or other issues blocking the area where tool and coating meet. This makes the final coating extremely stable. 

There are a lot of different reasons to apply coating materials to tools. Some materials are designed to be extremely hard, limiting the fatigue caused by machining. Other coatings are designed to lower the coefficient of friction on your tools, preventing chips from sticking or facilitating chip evacuation. Finally, there are coatings that are designed to help reflect heat away from the body of your tools, which can help ensure a longer tool lifespan. 

TiAlN coated end mills fall into this last category. TiAlN or Titanium Aluminum Nitride, is a metastable hard coating that helps to insulate tools during high heat applications. This material is also extremely hard, with a Vickers hardness number of roughly 2800, making it slightly harder than raw tungsten carbide with a vickers number of about 2600. The main function of TiAlN is to create an extremely thin layer of aluminum oxide on the body of your tools. This coating is formed when TiAlN is exposed to high temperatures and helps to deflect heat away from the body or your tools and into the chips. This can help to extend your tool life and improve edge retention by increasing a tool’s wear resistance. 
If you are looking for TiAlN coated end mills for your shop, you can find plenty of high quality options when you visit www.onlinecarbide.com. Online Carbide is an American manufacturer dedicated to producing high performance milling tools including end mills, drill mills, and drill bits. If you have any questions about their tools, finishes, or you are interested in having custom cutting tools made for your shop, feel free to reach out to a member of their team by sending an email to sales@onlinecarbide.com.