So, I've destroyed three Crystallume diamond coated end mills on some Lithium Disilicate I've been tasked with milling. Not only does it wear the coating right off the tool but then it starts eating the tool itself (of course.) I've been working with a high speed spindle and roughing at .001" chipload.
I've only ever seen this stuff machined with small grinding burrs, not with end mills and I'm starting to conclude that there is just no way to cut this stuff, that it must be ground.
Any insights or suggestions would be appreciated. I've also got some Leucite glass-ceramic to try but it's even harder that the LiSi2
Thanks,
Jay