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The ascent of the carbide insert is characterized
                                                               by revolution and evolution. Cemented carbide is
       Quantum                                                 a hard material that is used extensively in cutting

                                                               tools intended for machining.
       Leaps &                                                 Within an industrial context, references to carbide


                                                               or tungsten carbide usually refers to cemented
                                                               composite. Carbide cutters deliver many
       Steady                                                  advantages, in the vast majority of cases, they
                                                               provide a better surface finish on the machined
                                                               part, and allow faster machining when compared
                                                               to the use of high-speed steel (HSS) cutters. In
       Progress                                                addition, carbide tools are able to withstand higher
                                                               temperatures at the cutter-workpiece interface
                                                               than standard high-speed steel tools, the principal
                                                               reason for their faster machining capability.

                                                               Carbide usually provides superior performance for
                                                               the cutting of tough materials such as high alloyed
                                                               steel or stainless steel, as well as in situations
                                                               where other cutting tools would wear faster, such
                                                               as when performing high-quantity, extended
                                                               production runs. Industries use of cemented
                                                               carbide for cutting metals began in the 1930s.
                                                               Since that time carbide has become by far the
                                                               most popular material for the production of cutting
                                                               tools. While some tools that feature relatively small
                                                               sizes are wholly produced from carbide; others
                                                               use carbide at the cutting area only. Originally the
                                                               cutting area consisted of a carbide tip that was
                                                               brazed or soldered to a tool body. However, in the
                                                               1940s cutting tool manufacturers began producing
                                                               cutting tools with the advantage of replaceable
                                                               carbide segments that were mechanically
                                                               mounted on to the tools body.

                                                               This clever innovation and the use of mechanical
                                                               clamping, which provides much greater strength
                                                               when compared with the previously brazed
                                                               connections, are now recognized as memorable
                                                               milestones, not only in the area of tool
                                                               manufacturing, but also in advancing the efficiency
                                                               of all metalworking industries.


                                                               This major development led to impressive
                                                               improvements in productivity within the area of
                                                               machining operations. It was immediately possible



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