Overview
ISO 513:2012 is an international standard established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that provides a classification system and application guidelines for hard cutting materials used in metal removal processes involving defined cutting edges. This standard specifically covers materials such as hardmetals (carbides), ceramics, diamond, and boron nitride. The key focus of ISO 513:2012 is to standardize the designation of main groups and application groups to facilitate the selection and classification of cutting materials for machining by chip removal, thereby promoting clarity and consistency across the manufacturing sector.
The standard excludes applications unrelated to chip removal, such as mining tools, wire drawing dies, and tools that operate by deformation rather than cutting.
Key Topics
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Classification of Hard Cutting Materials
ISO 513 divides hard cutting materials into four main categories:
- Carbides (uncoated and coated variants, including cermets)
- Ceramics (including aluminum oxide-based and silicon nitride-based ceramics)
- Diamond (monocrystalline and polycrystalline types with or without binders)
- Boron Nitride (cubic crystalline forms with varying boron nitride content)
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Designation System
Each material group is designated by specific letter symbols (e.g., HW for tungsten carbide with grain size ≥ 1 μm) combined with a code indicating the main group of application and a detailed group of application classification number.
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Main Groups of Application
These are categorized into six groups based on the workpiece material to be machined:
- P (blue): Steel and cast steel (excluding certain stainless steels)
- M (yellow): Stainless steels (austenitic, ferritic, cast steel variants)
- K (red): Cast irons
- N (green): Non-ferrous metals and non-metallic materials
- S (brown): Superalloys and titanium alloys
- H (grey): Hardened steel and hardened cast iron
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Wear Resistance and Toughness Rating
Groups are further subdivided with classification numbers reflecting the balance between wear resistance and toughness, helping to optimize tool material choice depending on machining conditions such as feed rates and cutting speeds.
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Standardized Color Coding and Symbols
The use of color marking and standardized letter codes ensures practical and rapid identification and communication about cutting materials and their intended applications across industries.
Applications
ISO 513:2012 plays a critical role in industries requiring precision metal machining by defining a clear and universally accepted nomenclature for tool materials. Key applications include:
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Manufacturing and Metalworking
Helps manufacturers select appropriate cutting materials for turning, milling, drilling, and other chip removal operations, optimizing tool life and machining efficiency.
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Toolmakers and Suppliers
Provides a standardized language for categorizing tool grades based on the substrate machinability, enabling better communication between producers and users.
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Quality Control and Procurement
Assists in specifying and verifying cutting tool materials according to internationally recognized categories and application groups to ensure consistent performance.
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Design of Cutting Tools
Guides engineering decisions about suitable cutting materials for specific metal types, balancing factors like hardness, toughness, wear resistance, and cost-effectiveness.
Related Standards
To complement ISO 513:2012, users may refer to related documents for broader insights on tooling and materials:
- ISO 3685 – Tool life testing of hard cutting materials
- ISO 4957 – Tool steels specification used in cutting tools
- ISO 8688 – Test methods for metal cutting tools
- ISO 3611 – Designations for cemented carbides and cermets
Together, these standards ensure a comprehensive framework supporting the design, classification, testing, and application of cutting tools and materials.
Keywords: ISO 513 classification, hard cutting materials, hardmetals, ceramics, diamond cutting tools, boron nitride, machining classification, metal removal, cutting edge designation, tool material classification, machining standards, chip removal tools, cutting tool identification, steel machining, cast iron cutting, non-ferrous metals machining, superalloys machining, tool wear resistance, tool toughness, tool designation system.
Open preview (PDF)Classification and application of hard cutting materials for metal removal with defined cutting edges — Designation of the main groups and groups of application