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Suggested Cutting Speeds

These are only starting points. They will vary with application and workpiece condition.

Type of Material

Brinnell Hardness

Cutting Speed (sfm)

Tool Material

Aluminum - wrough & cast

-          die cast 360.0, 380.0

                   383.0, 413.0

                   390.0, 392.0         

*30-150

500-1000

M2

*40-125

450-600

M2

*40-125

450-600

M2

*40-125

75-100

M2

Brass & Bronze

---

300-600

M2

Cast Iron - Soft

                - Medium

                - Chilled

120-150

75-125

M2

160-220

50-100

M2/Prem.

230-300

30-50

Prem.

Malleable Iron - Ferritic

-          Pearlitic

-          Tempered Martensite

110-160

100-130

M2

160-220

75-100

M2

200-320

30-60

Prem.

Magnesium

*50-90

400-800

M2

Nickle Alloys - 200-230

-          Monel 400-404

-          Monel K500, 502

80-170

60-80

M2

115-240

35-50

M2

150-330

20-40

Prem.

Steel

      Free Machining Resulphurized/Leaded

---

105-130

M2

Plain Carbon 10xx, 12xx, xx10, xx20 - Use high speed range

125-160

90-110

M2

Soft Alloy 10xx, 12xx, xx10, xx20 - Use high speed range

                  41xx, 51xx, xx30, xx40 - Use mid speed range

                  52xx, 93xx, xx50, xx100 - Use low speed range

170-210

65-90

M2

Med Hard & Plain Alloy

                  10xx, 12xx, xx10, xx20 - Use high speed range

                  41xx, 51xx, xx30, xx40 - Use mid speed range

                  52xx, 93xx, xx50, xx100 - use low speed range

220-250

55-75

M2

Hard Alloy - lower BHN

                   - higher BHN

260-300

35-50

M2/Prem.

325-400

30-40

Prem./ Super Prem.

Tool Steel - T-15, M42, D2 - Use low speed range

-          M2, A2 - Use mid speed range

-          S6, H13 - Use high speed range

210-250

35-60

M2/ Prem.

Forgings

---

40-50

M2

Armor Plate - lower BHN

                     - higher BHN

200-250

40-55

M2/Prem.

250-300

30-45

Prem./ Super Prem.

Stainless Steel

Ferritic - 430/405 - Use low speed range

              - 430F - use high speed range

135-185

90-125

M2

Austentic - lower BHN

                  -Higher BHN

-          309/316 - Use low speed range

-          301/304 - use mid speed range

-          303/203EZ - use high speed range

135-185

55-75

M2

225-275

40-70

M2

Nitonic (Low Alloy)

275-325

25-35

Prem.

Martensitic

-          by hardness range

-          501 - Use mid speed range

-          416/440F - Use high speed range

135-185

70-125

M2

185-240

45-110

M2

275-325

35-55

Prem.

375-425

30-55

Super Prem.

Precipitation Hardening

-          by hardness range

-          17-4 PH - Use mid speed range

150-200

45-55

M2

275-325

40-50

Prem.

325-375

35-45

Super Prem.

High Temperature Alloys

 

Inconel 600 Hastelloy B, C, X, S - lower BHN

                                                - higher BHN

140-220

12-18

M2/Prem.

240-310

10-15

Prem.

Inconel 718/Waspalloy - lower BHN

                                  - higher BHN

200-300

10-15

M2/Prem.

300-400

7-12

Prem./ Super Prem.

Inconel 700/Rene 41 - lower BHN

                                  - higher BHN

225-300

10-15

M2/Prem.

300-400

7-12

Prem./ Super Prem.

* 500 Kg. load used on soft alloys. Others tested with 3000 Kg. load and standard ball.