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One of the most fascinating materials of our time is polycrystalline cubic boron nitride PCBN - the second hardest material after diamond. At CeramTec, PCBN is used as a cutting material from which indexable inserts are manufactured for machining.
PCBN is produced synthetically and is a "composite material" made of cubic boron nitride and a mostly ceramic binder phase. The ratio of cBN to binder content and the cBN grain size determine the application.
PCBN cutting materials are used in the machining of hard and/or highly abrasive workpiece materials. The high hardness and the extremely high hot hardness (up to temperatures above 1,000°C), the edge stability and inertness towards ferrous materials as well as the basically good chemical resistance give CBN cutting materials a high potential for use in machining. On the cutting material side, a distinction is made between high- and low-cBN cutting material grades.

PCBN (Polycrystalline Cubic Boron Nitride) blanks for cutting tools are composite ultrahard materials sintered by polycrystalline CBN and carbide alloy under ultra-high pressure and high temperature conditions. They combine the hardness, wear resistance, and thermal stability of CBN with the impact resistance and toughness of carbide alloy. PCBN blanks are highly suitable for cutting ferrous and non-ferrous metals with high hardness.

Applications:
PCBN cutting tools are ideal for machining high-hardness ferrous materials with a hardness range of HRC45-65. Typical applications include:

Turning
Milling
Boring
Reaming
Machining of materials such as quench steel, martensitic cast iron, hard bearing steel, and nichrome.
Standard PCBN products are round, but other shapes such as segment, rectangle, or triangle types can be supplied upon request.

Product Numbers:
The product numbers typically include the diameter (D) and thickness (T) specifications of the PCBN blanks.

Advantages:

Multiple Grades and Applications: PCBN blanks are available in various grades tailored for different applications, ensuring a wide range of machining needs can be met.
Cost-Effectiveness: PCBN cutting tools offer high cost-effectiveness due to their excellent performance, wear resistance, and stability, resulting in longer tool life and reduced machining costs.
Easy Processing: They are easy to machine and offer excellent performance in cutting hard materials, providing consistent and reliable results.
Strong Technical Support: Manufacturers often provide strong technical support, including customized R&D services, to meet specific customer requirements.
Quality Management: Strict quality management systems ensure consistent product quality, reliability, and performance, meeting the demands of high-precision machining applications.
In summary, PCBN cutting tools offer a cost-effective and efficient solution for machining high-hardness ferrous materials, providing excellent wear resistance, stability, and performance across a wide range of applications.