ABSTRACT
The selection of a cutting tool material type and its particular grade is an important factor to considerwhenplanningasuccessfuldrillingoperation.Abasicknowledgeofeachcuttingtoolmaterialanditsperformanceisthereforeimportantsothatthecorrectselectionforeachapplicationcan bemade.Considerationsincludethetypeandpropertiesofthematerialtobemachined,thepart/ blanktypeandshape,machiningconditions,andtherequiredhole(bore)qualityfortheconsidered operation. Note that the cost per machined hole (the size of production lot, yearly program, existing machine/machiningpractice,etc.)shouldalsobeconsideredintheselectionoftheproper(technically and economically) tool material for a given drilling application.
