Recently, the domestic superhard cutting tool sector has reported new progress. A new generation of high-toughness PCBN cutting tools features optimised formulations and cutting-edge edge processing technology. These products have been successfully applied in high-efficiency precision machining of difficult-to-cut materials such as hardened steel and alloy cast iron, further accelerating the import substitution of superhard tools and helping industries including automotive, construction machinery and precision dies improve quality and cut costs.
PCBN is a superhard material second only to diamond. It boasts outstanding hot hardness, maintaining cutting hardness at temperatures above 1400°C. It does not chemically react with ferrous metals at high temperatures and offers far superior wear resistance compared with cemented carbide and ceramic tools. PCBN cutting tools are the core "industrial teeth" for hard-state cutting and dry cutting. A major advantage of tools made from this material is the process of hard turning instead of grinding: turning replaces conventional grinding, greatly shortening process flows and reducing the consumption of grinding fluid, which aligns with the trend of green manufacturing.
In the automotive industry, PCBN cutting tools are widely used for the finish machining of gearbox gears, bearing rings, brake discs, engine cylinder blocks and other components. They can stably machine hardened steel workpieces with hardness of HRC 55–68. Their cutting speed is several times higher than that of traditional cemented carbide tools, single-piece machining time is greatly reduced, and tool service life is extended by 5–15 times. Surface roughness and dimensional accuracy after machining remain stable. For dies, rolling rolls and powder metallurgy parts, the new grade of PCBN balances wear resistance and impact toughness by adjusting the ratio of CBN grains and binder system, lowering the risk of edge chipping and solving long-standing pain points such as fast tool wear, frequent tool changes and inconsistent quality.
For a long time, the high-end PCBN cutting tool market was dominated by overseas brands. In recent years, domestic superhard material manufacturers have carried out intensive research on core links including CBN powder synthesis, composite compact sintering, tool shank brazing and edge honing. Custom solutions are available for customers, including solid PCBN cutting tools, brazed composite PCBN inserts and wiper-edge inserts. These suit continuous fine turning, interrupted cutting, boring and milling. The overall performance of domestic products keeps catching up with top international brands, while lead times and total operating costs are optimised.
Industry insiders note that with the rapid growth of domestic new energy vehicles, high-end equipment and wind power bearing sectors, demand for precision machining of difficult-to-cut materials keeps rising, and the PCBN cutting tool market continues to expand. Future R&D will focus on ultra-fine grain high-toughness grades, coated PCBN, specialised chip-breaker geometries and integrated cutting process solutions. This will promote the adoption of hard cutting technology in more sub-sectors and strengthen the independent controllability of China’s high-precision cutting tool industrial chain.
