How to choose the right tool when machining aluminum

Due to the special characteristics of aluminum, no matter what machine tool is used for processing, it is often unsatisfactory in terms of efficiency, life, and gloss of workpieces. Therefore, how to choose the right tool and processing technology when processing aluminum has become a problem that everyone cares about.

Let's first understand the processing characteristics of aluminum and aluminum alloys: aluminum has low strength, low hardness, and high plasticity. It is suitable for plastic forming, but it has a large tendency to deform and strengthen during cutting, and it is easy to stick to the knife, and it is difficult to machine a smooth surface. The strength and hardness of aluminum alloy are much higher than that of pure aluminum, but compared with steel, the strength and hardness are lower, the cutting force is small, and the thermal conductivity is good.

Because aluminum alloy is soft and plastic, it is easy to stick to the tool during cutting, forming a built-up edge on the tool, and welding may occur on the cutting edge during high-speed cutting, causing the tool to lose its cutting ability, and affecting the machining accuracy and surface roughness. . In addition, the thermal expansion coefficient of aluminum alloy is large, and the heat of cutting easily causes thermal deformation of the workpiece, which reduces the machining accuracy.