Turning inserts for steel and stainless steel: grade selection
Diamond Cut · Grade selection
Turning steel & stainless steel
Choose the carbide grade for the actual material, hardness and cutting conditions. An ISO insert shape such as CNMG does not tell you which grade to use.
01Starting points from the catalogue
| Sakausējums | Catalogue application | Cutting condition |
|---|---|---|
| OS8216A P25 / M20 | Rough and semi-finish turning of stainless 304/316 and low-carbon steel; HRC < 30 | Continuous and interrupted |
| OS8216 P25 | Rough and semi-finish turning of low- and medium-carbon steel; HRC < 35 | Continuous and interrupted |
| OS8235 P25 | Rough and semi-finish turning of medium-carbon, alloy and quenched-and-tempered steel; 30 < HRC < 45 | Continuous and interrupted |
| OS8225 P25 | Semi-finish turning of quenched-and-tempered and high-alloy steel; 30 < HRC < 45 | Continuous |
| OS8126 P15 | High-carbon alloy and hardened steel; 30 < HRC < 50 | Continuous |
These entries reproduce the application scope in the supplied SPEED catalogue, printed pages 41–42. Availability depends on the insert geometry. OS8216 and OS8216A are separate designations; do not substitute one for the other based only on the number.
02Check the complete setup
Start with a matching holder and insert size. Then choose the grade, chipbreaker and corner radius for the material and operation. A grade suitable for interrupted cutting still needs a compatible chipbreaker and a rigid setup.
The catalogue also includes material-specific cutting-speed tables on pages 63–64. Select the row for the actual material and hardness; a general grade speed range is not a universal machine setting.
03What to send for a recommendation
Send the material designation and hardness, holder and insert codes, roughing or finishing operation, depth of cut and feed. Tell us whether the cut is interrupted and whether coolant is used.