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Anyone have some insight on machining copper tungsten? 25% copper / 75% tungsten, something I have never worked with. My tooling on hand consists of mostly 3 flute ZrN coated carbide for aluminum.
I have found some recommendations from various manufactures of the material but I'm looking for some input on tooling used, 3/4/5 flute?? I have the recommended S&F.
Thanks,
Steve
Hello from the future (well, 10-2023 anyhow), Steve; so you got NOTHING from anybody on this query in 2020?? Jeez! I, too, am trolling around on the topic this morning. I've used CW75 quite a lot for use in very stable, small (few cubic inch) laser assemblies; though not recently. I've machined it some, but only very small one-off parts, and didn't pay much attention to my tooling and such, probably back then just used like 4 flute HHS end mills, and 'slow and steady' on S&Fs on an old Bport. Here in 2023 I'm looking at making a fairly sizeable part (~ 1.5"x2"x0.6", lots of features) on my Tormach 770M, and certainly want to try to set it up as sensibly as I can, etc. So, looking around on it, too. I do remember its 'metal matrix composite' nature and how it sort of creates more like dust than it does chips in milling. I used it for its high thermal conductivity, rigidity, and good CTE match to kovar. Charley in Colo
When it comes to the number of flutes, it depends on the specific application and the desired outcome. Generally, using a 4 or 5 flute tool can provide better stability and chip evacuation compared to a 3 flute tool. However, it's always best to consult the manufacturer's recommendations or seek advice from experienced machinists for the best tooling selection. Immaculate Grid