Grades and Coatings Chart
A one-page reference: which substrate and which coating to pair with each workpiece material, and why.
The substrate and the coating together decide the ceiling on tool life. This chart puts the two side by side against the material groups, so the selection is a lookup rather than a guess.
Covered in the chart
| Grade | Grain size | Paired coating | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|
| K10–K20 | 0.6–0.8 µm | Uncoated / DLC | Aluminium, non-ferrous, graphite |
| K20–K30 | 0.4–0.6 µm | AlCrN / TiAlN | General steel, stainless, cast iron |
| K30–K40 | 0.4–0.6 µm | AlCrN / AlTiN | Hardened steel, high-feed, interrupted cuts |
| K40+ | < 0.4 µm | AlTiN multilayer | 55–65 HRC, superalloys, micro tools |
Coating hardness, maximum working temperature and the materials each coating suits are all on the same page, so the trade-off between heat resistance and adhesion is visible rather than remembered.
Tell us the material and we will tell you the pair. If the workpiece is not in the chart, or the condition is unusual, describe it and we will answer with a recommendation.