Uncoated Carbide—Use uncoated end mills for general purpose milling and short production runs. They stay sharper than coated end mills when used on soft materials like aluminum, leaving a better finish.

Titanium Nitride (TiN)-Coated Carbide—Titanium nitride (TiN)-coated end mills create less friction than uncoated end mills, which means they last longer when run at similar speeds. Use coated end mills for demanding, high-speed jobs in hard material as well as for longer production runs. They’re more wear resistant than uncoated end mills.

Titanium Carbon Nitride (TiCN)-Coated Carbide—Titanium carbon nitride (TiCN)-coated end mills have a hard, smooth finish that resists chipping and wear and prevents material from accumulating on the cutting edge. They’re especially good for use in aluminum. Use coated end mills for demanding, high-speed jobs in hard material as well as for longer production runs. They’re more wear resistant than uncoated end mills.

Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN)-Coated Carbide—Titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN)-coated end mills dissipate heat better than other end mills, especially at high speeds. At high temperatures, the coating creates a layer of aluminum oxide that transfers heat to the chips, keeping the tool cool, even when used without lubrication. Use coated end mills for demanding, high-speed jobs in hard material as well as for longer production runs. They’re more wear resistant than uncoated end mills.

Center Cutting—Center-cutting end mills allow plunge cuts into a surface.