Machining Test Results for Hardened Mold Steel
Documented carbide end mill tests for hardened mold steel applications, including triangular rib machining, micro-radius tool wear measurement and comparative performance evaluation against established Japanese and Korean tool brands.
The results below are presented from documented machining tests. Original machining conditions and cutting-edge inspection images are shown for technical reference. Competitor identities are anonymized as leading Japanese or Korean tool brands.
Documented Machining Cases
Real machining test records focused on mold-making requirements: cutting-edge wear, hardened steel finishing, micro-radius tool durability and stable surface quality.
Triangular Rib Machining Comparison
Comparative wear testing in S136 hardened mold steel using a high-precision machining centre.
Extended Cutting Validation
Long-duration triangular rib machining test with cutting-edge inspection after completion.
Micro-Radius Wear Benchmark
D0.3 R0.15 comparative machining test against multiple established international tool brands.
D0.3 R0.15 Comparative Test
Multi-brand cutting evaluation under identical machining conditions with cutting-edge and surface inspection.
Breakage Resistance Test
D0.5 R0.25 tool validation under V-groove machining conditions with increased corner stock.
Top & Side Wear Measurement
Detailed inspection of top-edge and side-edge wear after machining hardened mold steel.
Triangular Rib Machining in S136 Hardened Mold Steel
A documented comparison test for triangular rib machining, evaluating cutting-edge wear after short and extended cutting periods against a leading Japanese tool brand.
| Workpiece Material | S136 Mold Steel |
| Hardness | Approx. HRC50 |
| Machine Tool | Makino iQ500 |
| Tool Model | HGXB2002 0450-P |
| Application | Triangular Rib Machining / Finishing |
| Cutting Periods | 1.5 h and 14 h |
After 14 hours, the tested tool recorded 11.850 μm wear width, compared with 26.520 μm for the benchmark Japanese-brand tool.
Cutting-Edge Wear Comparison
Wear width recorded under 1000× magnified cutting-edge inspection.
| Cutting Time | Tested Tool | Leading Japanese Brand | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 h | 5.347 μm | 13.852 μm | Lower measured wear |
| 14 h | 11.850 μm | 26.520 μm | Lower measured wear |
27-Hour Continuous Machining Validation
Extended triangular rib machining test designed to verify cutting-edge condition after prolonged machining in hardened mold steel.
| Tool Model | HGXB2002 0450-P |
| Spindle Speed | 32,000 r/min |
| Feed Rate | 256 mm/min |
| Depth of Cut | 0.005 mm |
| Width of Cut | 0.01 mm |
| Cooling Method | Oil Mist |
- Machining completed after 27 hours of continuous cutting.
- Workpiece surface condition remained acceptable until the later stage of machining.
- Cutting-edge inspection showed evident wear after completion of the long-duration test.
D0.3 R0.15 Comparative Wear Test
Comparative machining test in hardened 1.2343 ESR steel, evaluating micro-radius tool wear against established Japanese and Korean brand tools under recorded test conditions.
| Machine Tool | Quick AV70S |
| Tool Holder | MST HSK-E50-SLRA4-95-M42 |
| Tested Tool Model | HGXB2003L1 0450-P |
| Spindle Speed | 28,000 r/min |
| Feed Rate | 300 mm/min |
| Cutting Time | 162 min / 2 h 42 min |
D0.3 R0.15 Tool Wear Measurement
Recorded wear width after 162 minutes of hardened steel machining.
| Tool Reference | Benchmark Group | Measured Wear Width | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| HGXB2003L1 0450-P | Tested Tool | 10.16 μm | Lowest recorded wear |
| N* D0.3 R0.15 | Leading Japanese Brand | 12.81 μm | Higher wear |
| U* D0.3 R0.15 | Leading Japanese Brand | 16.34 μm | Higher wear |
| H* D0.3 R0.15 | Leading Japanese Brand | 32.04 μm | Significant wear |
| J* D0.3 R0.15 | Leading Korean Brand | 23.01 μm | Significant wear |
Top and Side Cutting-Edge Wear Inspection
A 90-minute machining test evaluating both top-edge and side-edge wear for a micro-radius tool against a leading Japanese-brand benchmark.
| Inspection Position | Tested Tool | Benchmark Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting Edge Wear | 6.47 μm | 13.57 μm |
| Side Wear Point 1 | 10.16 μm | 21.94 μm |
| Side Wear Point 2 | 14.49 μm | 17.74 μm |
Under the documented test conditions, the tested tool recorded lower cutting-edge and side-wear values than the Japanese-brand benchmark.
D0.5 R0.25 V-Groove Machining Test
Breakage resistance test performed with a larger remaining corner-stock condition to evaluate tool durability during V-groove machining in hardened steel.
| Machine Tool | Quick AV70S |
| Tool Holder | MST HSK-E50-SLRA4-95-M42 |
| Tested Tool Model | HGXB2005L2 0450-P |
| Spindle Speed | 25,000 r/min |
| Feed Rate | 500 mm/min |
| Cooling Method | Coolant |
- Both tools completed the test without breakage.
- The tested tool showed lighter cutting-edge wear in the documented comparison.
- Machining conditions were designed to challenge edge strength at the groove bottom radius.
Test Sheets & Inspection Images
Review machining conditions, workpiece information and magnified cutting-edge inspection images used in these application cases.
Makino iQ500 / HRC50 / 14-hour comparison record.
View Document →
1000× magnified edge wear comparison record.
View Document →
Extended machining test in 1.2343 mold steel.
View Document →
Comparison against international benchmark tools.
View Document →
90-minute wear value comparison record.
View Document →
V-groove machining test in hardened steel.
View Document →From Machining Requirement to Tool Validation
Share your workpiece material, hardness and machining application. We will help identify a suitable carbide end mill configuration for technical evaluation.
Define Workpiece
Provide mold steel grade, hardness range and heat-treatment condition.
Identify Operation
Share cavity finishing, rib machining, insert machining or 3D contour requirements.
Match Tool Geometry
Select suitable ball nose, corner radius or special micro-radius end mills.
Evaluate Performance
Assess tool wear, surface quality and cutting stability under your application conditions.
Have a Hardened Steel or Mold Finishing Application?
Send us your material grade, hardness, tool diameter and machining requirement. Our team will recommend a suitable carbide end mill configuration for testing and procurement evaluation.
Test results shown on this page are based on documented machining records under specified conditions. Actual tool performance may vary depending on machine rigidity, tool holding, coolant strategy, workpiece condition, toolpath and cutting parameters.
