Milling tools made of PCD (polycrystalline diamond) are
high-performance cutting tools that are used for milling extremely
hard and
abrasive materials. PCD is a synthetically produced material consisting of microscopically small diamond particles that are sintered under high pressure and high temperature in a metal matrix (usually cobalt). These diamond particles are polycrystalline, i.e. they consist of many small
diamond crystals which together form an extremely hard and wear-resistant material.
The main advantages of PCD milling tools are their exceptional hardness and abrasion resistance, which makes them ideal for
milling non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper as well as
plastics, fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP/GRP) and other abrasive materials. They offer
outstanding cutter life and enable very high
machining speeds during milling, which can lead to a significant
increase in productivity.
PCD tools are characterized by their ability to produce extremely smooth surfaces during milling. This makes them particularly
valuable for applications where a
high surface finish is required without the need for reworking. Although
PCD tools are
more expensive to purchase than conventional milling tools, the costs are amortized by their
long service life and the reduction in machine downtime due to tool changes.
Due to their specific properties,
PCD milling cutters are primarily used where high demands are placed on
machining quality and
efficiency.