Sandvik Coromant releases new solid carbide drills optimised for challenging aerospace materials

Cutting tool and tooling system specialist Sandvik Coromant has unveiled two new solid carbide drills designed to improve consistency and performance during hole-making operations on workpieces made from challenging aerospace materials such as heat-resistant super alloys (HRSAs), titanium alloys and composites.

“There are specific challenges associated with drilling these aerospace materials,” states James Thorpe Global Product Manager – Drilling at Sandvik Coromant. “For example, the fatigue resistance, hardness and toughness of HRSA materials at high temperatures combine to develop a number of wear mechanisms on drills.” Aaron Howcroft, Global Product Manager Composites at Sandvik Coromant, adds: “Composites, on the other hand, can easily see their layers separate under the mechanical stress of drilling, a process known as delamination. Our new CoroDrill® solutions have been specifically designed to combat issues such as these and deliver enhanced tool life and performance.”

The new CoroDrill 860 solid carbide drill with -SM geometry has been developed to provide robust process security, high hole integrity and excellent tool life, making it the first choice for safeguarding quality when performing hole making in ISO S materials like HRSAs, which include Inconel, Waspalloy, Hastelloy and Udimet.

A new grade, 1210, which also features a new coating, is available for the CoroDrill 860 solid carbide drill with -SM geometry that is designed to ensure a major reduction in flank wear compared with existing solutions. The result is a consistent and reliable cutting egde, which in turn delivers excellent dimensional accuracy and better finished hole tolerance. For this reason, the drill is also ideal for unmanned production, where users can expect to see a significant reduction in component scrap rates. Moreover, overall cost-per-hole will be reduced.

Key aerospace applications where the CoroDrill 860 solid carbide drill with -SM geometry will excel are set to include bosses and scallop/flange face features on casings, as well other features on low-pressure/high-pressure turbine disks and blisks. The assortment, which features internal coolant capability throughout, extends from 2xD to 5xD, in diameters from 3 to 16 mm (0.118 to 0.630 inch).

Also released is the CoroDrill 863 solid carbide drill with -O geometry, an optimised solution for composite aerospace workpieces. Offering excellent tool life and very high hole integrity, the substrate is based on a new grade, O1AD, for improved wear resistance. A high axial rake angle is included for reduced delamination in unidirectional CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic).

Tool life is improved significantly when using the CoroDrill 863 solid carbide drill with -O geometry, with increases in material drilled often measured in metres. Fewer tool changes are therefore a further benefit of using this repeatable and reliable drill. Typical composite parts set to benefit will include aircraft frames, wingboxes, fuselage sections, stabilizers, floor beams and flaps. The assortment is available from 4xD to 5xD, in diameters from 3 to 10 mm (0.118 to 0.393 inch).

For more information, please visit http://www.sandvik.coromant.com.