Coating Technology Enables Tough Mold and Die Steel Machining

Millstar, a part of Cole Tooling Systems Inc., offers an HNC coating for cutting tools that provides new levels of toughness and heat resistance for expanded machining capabilities. An evolution of the company’s proven HSN coating, HNC is a multi-layer hybrid nanocoating applied with state-of-the-art technology for what the company contends is the highest possible adhesion rate to the substrate. The result is a durable coating that outperforms on tough-to-machine, un-heat treated or heat treated materials up to 72 HRC.

HNC from Millstar offers an optimal combination of friction coefficient, hardness, toughness and oxidation temperature. Its high performance with high-temperature alloys makes HNC an ideal choice for mold and die steels. The coating has been shown to achieve improved surface finish and greater accuracy with more consistent extended runs.

Millstar’s HNC provides key benefits for increased efficiency in any machining operation, leading to lower overall production costs. These benefits include extended tool life, reduced tool inventory by eliminating the need for different coatings, and reduced down time from tool changes for chipped or worn cutters. HNC also has optimal lubricity properties for improved chip evacuation.

This versatile coating from Millstar can be used with a full range of both inserts and solid carbide cutting tools.

Millstar manufactures insert and solid carbide tooling for conventional profile machining, high-speed milling and hard milling.