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Efficient Machining Through the Right Choice of Carbide Grade

Selecting the right carbide grade is important for achieving maximum efficiency in machining. While most grades work well in various materials, a careful choice for your specific material can provide significant advantages.

FourCut Carbide Grades

Choose between two different grades for the best possible productivity. SmiCut’s complete range of FourCut inserts for thread turning and grooving is available in both grades.

carbide grades for FourCut, LC and HC

HC is a carbide grade with AlTiSiN coating. It is particularly suitable for harder materials and high-temperature applications.

LC is a carbide grade with AlCrN coating. It offers a good balance between toughness and heat resistance.

Choose Your Grade

Check out the table below to help you select the optimal carbide grade for FourCut inserts based on the material you are machining. This information is also available as a PDF.

(If you cannot see the entire table, rotate your phone to landscape mode.)

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Calculate Helix angle in thread turning.
Technical Information
Helix Angle in Thread Turning
Carbide Grade For FourCut
Technical Information
Choose the Right Carbide Grade for FourCut Inserts
MATERIAL
Hardness
HB
Tensile Strenght
N/mm²
First
Choice
Second
Choice
Steel
Low carbon, C < 0,25%
< 120
< 400
LC
HC
Medium carbon, C < 0,55%
< 200
< 700
LC
HC
High carbon, C < 0,85%
< 250
< 850
LC
HC
Low alloy
< 250
< 850
LC
HC
High alloy
< 350
< 1200
HC
LC
Hardened, HRC < 45
HC
LC
Hardened, HRC < 55
HC
LC
Hardened, HRC < 65
HC
LC
Cast iron
Lamellar graphite
< 150
< 500
LC
HC
Lamellar graphite
< 300
< 1000
LC
HC
Nodular graphite, malleable
< 200
< 700
LC
HC
Nodular graphite, malleable
< 300
< 1000
LC
HC
Stainless steel
Free machining
< 250
< 850
HC
LC
Austenitic
< 250
< 850
HC
LC
Ferritic and austenitic
< 300
< 1000
HC
LC
Titanium
Unalloyed
< 200
< 700
HC
LC
Alloyed
< 270
< 900
HC
LC
Alloyed
< 350
< 1250
HC
LC
Nickel
Unalloyed
< 150
< 500
LC
HC
Alloyed
< 270
< 900
HC
LC
Alloyed
< 350
< 1250
HC
LC
Copper
Unalloyed
< 100
< 350
LC
HC
Brass, bronze
< 200
< 700
LC
HC
High strength bronze
< 470
< 1500
HC
LC
Aluminium
Unalloyed
< 100
< 350
LC
HC
Alloyed, Si < 0,5%
< 150
< 500
LC
HC
Alloyed, Si < 10%
< 200
< 400
LC
HC
Alloyed, Si > 10%
< 120
< 400
LC
HC
Inconel
718
< 370
< 900
HC
LC
Graphite
LC
HC