A Guide to Milling Grades, Materials and Solutions

This chart provides an overview of most milling grades in the context of workpiece material. The chart also shows basic grade toughness, as well as geometric characteristics for sharpness and strength. Based on workpiece material, you can identify suitable grade/geometry combinations as a first orientation. You can also see the various types of materials a grade can machine as well as suitable geometry matches.

From top to bottom, the chart arranges grades by increasing toughness, with the toughest grades indicated at the bottom.

Tougher grades can handle higher chip loads and enable the use of sharper geometries, work with interrupted cuts or vibrations, heterogenous workpiece conditions, and machine in inclusions with less edge chipping and disruption.

Tougher grades also have fewer issues with the thermal cracking and notch wear that can be challenges in milling. The drawback with tough grades is that they tend toward higher flank, crater wear and plastic deformation, which require an adjustment toward the harder, more wear-resistant grades shown at the top of the chart.