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Classification and Identification Methods for Cemented Carbide Inserts
On the market, CNC carbide cutting inserts come in various shapes, serve different purposes, and are made from a wide range of materials. Carbide turning inserts are indispensable core components in metalworking. To begin, let’s first explore the classification of carbide turning inserts:
Content
- Classification of Tool Structures
- Classification of Cutting Tools
- Applications of Cemented Carbide Turning Inserts
- Methods for Identifying Carbide Turning Inserts
- Common Issues with Turning Inserts
I. Classification of Tool Structures
Tools generally come in various types, such as integral‑type tools, welded tools, machine‑tool inserts, and special‑purpose tools. Next, let’s explore the characteristics of each of these categories.
All-in-one:
The cutting tool is integrally sintered and formed as a single piece, machined from a single blank. It features no separate components, ensuring a robust structure with high rigidity and eliminating any detachable parts.
Welding Type:
It employs a welded construction, offering excellent cost-effectiveness, and includes both the cutter head and the shank.
Machine tool insert type:
Machine tool cutting inserts can be classified into non-indexable carbide inserts and indexable carbide inserts.
Special type:
For example, composite tools, damped tools, and so on.

II. Classification of Cutting Tools
High-speed steel cutting tools
Tungsten alloy blade
Diamond tools
Other material cutting tools
III. Applications of Cemented Carbide Turning Inserts
Cemented carbides boast high hardness, excellent wear and high‑temperature resistance, superior strength, impact resistance, and corrosion resistance, making them indispensable foundational materials in modern industry. Their applications span numerous sectors, including machining, mining engineering, mold manufacturing, automotive components, and the defense industry.
This is the most critical and largest‑volume application of cemented carbides.
It can be used to manufacture a wide range of cutting tools, including carbide turning inserts, milling cutters, drills, reamers, taps, boring tools, and threading tools. It is compatible with conventional lathes, CNC lathes, and machining centers, and is suitable for machining steel, stainless steel, cast iron, copper and aluminum, titanium alloys, and high‑hardness quenched materials, among others.
IV. Methods for Identifying Carbide Turning Inserts
There are many methods for identifying cutting blades, and many people rely on the blade’s shape to determine its type. Next, we will discuss specific techniques for identifying carbide cutting blades:
- Blade shape: We can determine the blade’s shape from the first letter; the most commonly used ones are H\O\P\S\T\C\D and E , representing a hexagon, an octagon, a pentagon, and a square, respectively, 80 °Rhombus, 55 degree rhombus and 75 °Rhombus.
- Rear‑angle designation: The second letter typically indicates the blade’s rear angle, which is commonly available. A\B\C\D\E\F\G and O , A Representative 3 °, 5 °, 7 °, 15 °, 20 °, 25 °, 30 °, 0 °, 11 °
From the two points above, we can both determine the identification method and then ascertain whether this insert is a turning insert, a milling insert, or… U Drill blade.

V. Common Issues in Turning with Carbide Inserts?
Q1 Why are turning inserts prone to chipping?
Answer: This is caused by excessively high cutting parameters, significant machine tool vibration, unstable workpiece clamping, and a mismatch between the insert material and the workpiece material.
Q2 : How should tool sticking and chip entanglement be handled during machining?
A: Simply reduce the spindle speed appropriately, increase the feed rate, ensure effective coolant lubrication, and use a dedicated coated carbide insert.
Q3 : Blade tip R What’s the difference in angle size?
Answer: R The larger the angle, the higher the strength, making it suitable for rough machining. R The smaller the angle, the higher the precision, making it suitable for finish machining.
Q4 : Are standard turning inserts suitable for internal boring?
A: It is more suitable for external cylindrical surfaces and end faces; for internal holes, we recommend using a small, dedicated internal‑hole insert to ensure better chip evacuation.
Q5 What causes turning inserts to wear quickly and have a short service life?
Answer: This is caused by excessive cutting speed, inadequate cooling, or a mismatch between the insert material and the workpiece material.
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