Cermet (ceramic + metal) cutting tools are engineered from a combination of ceramic materials and metallic binders. This composite structure provides a balance of wear resistance, heat resistance, and surface finish quality. Cermet inserts are typically used in finishing applications where tight tolerances and smooth surface finishes are required. Unlike coated carbides, cermet tools are more chemically stable, which helps reduce built-up edge during cutting.

These tools are particularly useful in high-speed machining where thermal conductivity and hardness play a more significant role than toughness.

Key Features

  • Enhanced Surface Finish: The fine grain structure and chemical stability of cermet provide excellent results in applications requiring high-quality surface finishes.
  • Thermal and Chemical Stability: Cermet tools maintain performance under high temperatures and resist chemical wear, which helps extend tool life under certain cutting conditions.
  • Low Built-Up Edge Formation: Their low affinity to workpiece materials reduces the likelihood of material adhesion, improving consistency during finishing operations.
  • Optimised for Finishing: Particularly suitable for low-interruption cutting and finishing passes where edge integrity and consistency are key.

Applications

  • Steel Finishing: Frequently used for finishing mild steel and alloy steels, especially in applications where tight dimensional tolerances are required.
  • High-Speed Dry Machining: Performs well in dry environments due to excellent heat resistance and wear properties.
  • Precision Turning: Commonly applied in automated or CNC turning tasks where repeatability and surface quality are important.