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./
|
|
|
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./
|
|
|
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./
|
|
|
Inconel 700/Rene 41 - lower BHN
- higher BHN
|
225-300
|
10-15
|
M2/Prem.
|
|
300-400
|
7-12
|
Prem./
|
|
* 500 Kg. load used on soft alloys. Others tested with 3000 Kg. load and standard ball.