Polishing enhances the performance of nearly all cutting tool coatings by smoothing surface topography and improving chip flow. Coatings that particularly benefit include:
- TiN (Titanium Nitride): Improves lubricity and reduces wear at moderate speeds.
- TiCN (Titanium Carbonitride): Enhances toughness and performance in high-speed machining.
- AlTiN (Aluminum Titanium Nitride): Offers excellent thermal stability and oxidation resistance for high-temp applications.
Bel Air’s drag finishing systems can be tuned for the unique polishing needs of each coating type, using low-aggression media and refined motion control to remove droplets without damaging the coating layer.
While slurry honing is also effective for polishing coated tools—particularly those with intricate geometries or delicate features—drag finishing remains the primary method for achieving smooth, uniform finishes on standard cutting tools.