Milling cutting insert MP1200

machiningfor steelfor stainless steel alloys

Summary
The MP1200 series comprises three PVD-coated carbide milling grades engineered to improve process stability by addressing common milling failure mechanisms such as thermal cracking, notch wear, rake-face wear and cutting-edge chipping.

Coating and substrate
The series features the Gene-Tenax™ multilayer PVD coating with nano-scale layer control that suppresses crack propagation by optimizing layer thickness and interlayer adhesion. The coating architecture combines an Al-rich AlTiN-based base layer for heat and wear resistance with an AlTiN composite functional layer to enhance oxidation resistance and reduce welding tendency on stainless steels, heat-resistant alloys and titanium alloys. A carbide substrate was developed using cutting simulations analysing edge load, temperature distribution and thermal cycling to suit a wide range of milling applications.

Grades and intended use

• MP1220: wear-focused grade for stable cutting conditions; recommended for alloy steels.
• MP1230: balanced general-purpose grade for steels and stainless steels.
• MP1240: high fracture-resistance grade for unstable or high-load cutting, applicable up to titanium and HRSA.

Performance and applicability
Tests on alloy steel (42CrMo4) showed MP1220 achieved more than twice the fracture resistance of a conventional PVD-coated milling grade under high-load conditions while also suppressing rake-face wear and thermal crack formation. Stable cutting is maintained over extended cutting lengths, reducing the risk of sudden insert failure.

Cutter compatibility and applications
The MP1200 series is compatible with about 20 cutter platforms (examples: AHX, ASX, AJX, BRP, VPX, VOX, WSX) enabling applications such as face milling, shoulder milling, side milling, high-feed milling and multifunction milling.

Technical specifications

• Product family: MP1200 series (PVD-coated carbide milling inserts)
• Coating: Gene-Tenax™ multilayer PVD coating with nano-scale layer control
• Coating layers: Al-rich AlTiN-based base layer; AlTiN composite functional layer
• Substrate: carbide substrate optimised via cutting simulations
• Available grades: MP1220, MP1230, MP1240
• Demonstrated performance: MP1220 >2× fracture resistance vs conventional PVD grade in 42CrMo4 tests
• Cutter compatibility: ~20 platforms including AHX, ASX, AJX, BRP, VPX, VOX, WSX
• Typical applications: face, shoulder, side, high-feed and multifunction milling
• Suitable workpiece materials: steels, stainless steels, heat-resistant alloys, titanium alloys