Drilling Grade for Cast Iron Counteracts High Operating Temperatures

Cast iron drilling has taken a significant step forward with an expanded insert range for new diameters in the high-speed Color Select P6005-WKK45C grade for Xtra-tec B401x point drills. These new inserts are available in diameters ranging to 1.50" (37.99 mm). With this expansion, the Walter’s grade for machining cast iron can now be used to drill all holes from 0.47 to 1.50" (12 to 37.99 mm) in diameter at depths ranging to 7×D and holes ranging from 0.71 to 1.02" (18 to 25.80 mm) in diameter at hole depths ranging to 10×D.

Cast iron properties such as brittleness as well as irregular structures and surfaces exert a great deal of stress on cutting edges, which can result in high operating temperatures. The substrate, coating and geometry of the P6005-WKK45C insert work to counteract these conditions, the company says. The insert’s multilayer PVD coating combines tough and wear-resistant layers to optimize hardness and toughness. According to the company, these characteristics give the new inserts as much as 100 percent more strength on the cutting edge and outstanding resistance to wear and high temperatures. They also are said to provide great process reliability when drilling and withdrawing from deep holes, even at very large diameters. The red ISO K coating used on the Color Select WKK45C range allows users to easily gage the amount of wear on the insert.