The Industrial Workhorse: Heavy-Duty Milling for Steel & Stainless

When you are machining ferrous materials, heat is the enemy. Our AlTiN (Aluminum Titanium Nitride) Coated 4-Flute Series is engineered to thrive in high-temperature environments, making it the go-to standard for general purpose and high-performance milling of steels.

Unlike bright finish or ZrN tools, this series utilizes a high-performance black coating that creates a thermal barrier, allowing the heat to enter the chip rather than the tool. Combined with a robust 4-flute geometry, these end mills deliver exceptional surface finishes and long tool life in materials up to 55 HRC.

Key Performance Features

• Advanced AlTiN Coating: This high-tech coating provides incredible thermal stability (oxidation resistance up to 800°C). As cutting temperatures rise, the coating forms a protective aluminum oxide layer, effectively shielding the carbide core. This makes it ideal for dry machining.

• High Rigidity 4-Flute Design: With a larger core diameter than 2 or 3-flute tools, this design minimizes tool deflection. This rigidity allows for stable side milling (profiling) and high-quality peripheral finishing.

• Edge Prep & Toughness: The cutting edges are honed to prevent chipping when machining tough materials like Stainless Steel 304 or Alloy Steels.

• Harmonic Dampening: (Optional feature depending on your stock) Available with Variable Helix geometry to break harmonic vibrations, allowing for deeper cuts and smoother operation.

Technical Specifications

Recommended Materials

This tool is specifically designed for ferrous materials. Do not use this tool on Aluminum.

• Carbon Steels: 1018, 1045, A36.

• Alloy Steels: 4140, 4340.

• Tool Steels: D2, H13, P20.

• Stainless Steels: 304, 316, 17-4 PH.

• Cast Iron.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use this AlTiN coated tool for Aluminum?

A: ABSOLUTELY NOT. This is the most common mistake. AlTiN coating contains Aluminum. When you cut aluminum with it, the material will chemically bond to the coating (affinity), causing immediate clogging and tool failure. For aluminum, please use our Uncoated or Rainbow/DLC series.

Q: Should I use coolant with AlTiN tools?

A: It depends on the material.

• For Steels (Hardened/Alloy): We generally recommend Air Blast only or MQL. Thermal shock (rapid heating and cooling from coolant) can cause micro-cracks in the coating. The AlTiN coating works better when it is hot.

• For Stainless Steel: Flood coolant is acceptable and often necessary to prevent work hardening and clear chips.

Q: Why choose 4-flute over 2-flute for steel?

A: In steel, chips are smaller and break easier than aluminum, so you don’t need huge gullets. A 4-flute tool has a thicker core (stronger) and presents more cutting edges per revolution. This means you can run higher table feeds (IPM) and get a much smoother surface finish.

Q: What is the difference between TiAlN and AlTiN?

A: It comes down to the Aluminum content. AlTiN has a higher percentage of Aluminum than TiAlN. This makes AlTiN harder and more heat resistant, making it superior for dry machining and cutting harder materials (HRC 45+).