To process stainless steel on a milling machine and ensure finish, you can consider using the following types of cutting tools:
Multi-flute cutters: multi-flute cutters can reduce the cutting force on each flute, reduce tool wear, and thus maintain the quality of cutting and surface finish. For example, the use of high-chromium high-speed steel multi-flute end mills can be applied to stainless steel materials of medium hardness.
Tungsten steel cutting tools: tungsten steel cutting tools have better hardness and cutting performance, suitable for processing higher hardness stainless steel materials. For example, you can choose to use tungsten steel milling cutter or tungsten steel end milling cutter and so on.
Coated tools: coated tools are covered with a layer of high hardness, low coefficient of friction coating, which can reduce cutting force and tool wear, improve machining efficiency and surface finish. For example, you can choose milling cutters coated with corundum or tungsten carbide coated tungsten steel end mills and so on.
When using these tools, you also need to pay attention to the following points to ensure the machining quality and surface finish:
Select the appropriate feed rate and depth of cut to avoid excessive cutting resulting in surface burrs and tool wear.
Maintain the sharpness of the tool and change the tool or perform tool grinding regularly.
Ensure that the cutting fluid is clean and properly lubricated to minimize surface friction and heat and to improve surface finish and machining efficiency.