Material Machinability Matrix
Speeds & Feeds Reference Matrix
Baseline surface speeds (SFM & m/min), chip loads, and coolant guidelines across major engineering materials for high-speed steel, M42 cobalt, and solid carbide drills.
Showing 17 materials
| Material | Category | Hardness | HSS (SFM / m/min) | Cobalt M42 (SFM / m/min) | Carbide (SFM / m/min) | Coolant Recommendation | Calculate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 6061-T6 | Aluminum | 95 HB | 200-350 SFM (61-107 m/min) | 300-500 SFM (91-152 m/min) | 500-1000 SFM (152-305 m/min) | Flood coolant or mist. Alcohol/soluble oil prevents built-up edge (BUE). | Apply → |
| Aluminum 7075-T6 | Aluminum | 150 HB | 150-300 SFM (46-91 m/min) | 250-450 SFM (76-137 m/min) | 450-850 SFM (137-259 m/min) | Soluble oil emulsion or synthetic flood. | Apply → |
| Mild Steel (AISI 1018 / A36) | Steel | 130 HB | 80-120 SFM (24-37 m/min) | 110-160 SFM (34-49 m/min) | 250-450 SFM (76-137 m/min) | Soluble oil (flood). Sulfurized cutting oil for manual drilling. | Apply → |
| Medium Carbon Steel (AISI 1045) | Steel | 180 HB | 70-100 SFM (21-30 m/min) | 90-130 SFM (27-40 m/min) | 200-380 SFM (61-116 m/min) | Water-soluble synthetic or semi-synthetic emulsion. | Apply → |
| Alloy Steel (AISI 4140 Pre-hard 28-32 HRC) | Steel | 280-320 HB (30 HRC) | 45-75 SFM (14-23 m/min) | 60-100 SFM (18-30 m/min) | 180-300 SFM (55-91 m/min) | High-pressure flood coolant recommended. | Apply → |
| Tool Steel (D2 / A2 Annealed) | Steel | 220-250 HB | 30-55 SFM (9-17 m/min) | 45-75 SFM (14-23 m/min) | 120-220 SFM (37-67 m/min) | Rich emulsion (8-10% concentration) or heavy-duty synthetic. | Apply → |
| Stainless Steel 304 (Austenitic) | Stainless | 170-200 HB | 40-60 SFM (12-18 m/min) | 55-85 SFM (17-26 m/min) | 140-240 SFM (43-73 m/min) | High-pressure flood coolant. Chlorine/sulfur additives help tapping/drilling. | Apply → |
| Stainless Steel 316 (Marine Grade) | Stainless | 180-220 HB | 35-55 SFM (11-17 m/min) | 50-75 SFM (15-23 m/min) | 130-220 SFM (40-67 m/min) | Rich soluble oil (10-12%) flood. | Apply → |
| Stainless Steel 17-4 PH (Condition A) | Stainless | 300 HB | 30-50 SFM (9-15 m/min) | 45-70 SFM (14-21 m/min) | 120-200 SFM (37-61 m/min) | High pressure flood. | Apply → |
| Gray Cast Iron (Class 30-40) | Cast Iron | 180-240 HB | 80-120 SFM (24-37 m/min) | 100-150 SFM (30-46 m/min) | 260-480 SFM (79-146 m/min) | Dry with dust vacuum extraction, or full synthetic flood. | Apply → |
| Ductile Iron (65-45-12) | Cast Iron | 160-210 HB | 65-95 SFM (20-29 m/min) | 85-125 SFM (26-38 m/min) | 220-380 SFM (67-116 m/min) | Synthetic or semi-synthetic flood. | Apply → |
| Brass C360 (Free Machining) | Brass & Copper | 120-140 HB | 180-300 SFM (55-91 m/min) | 250-420 SFM (76-128 m/min) | 450-800 SFM (137-244 m/min) | Dry or light air/mist. Mineral oil for deep holes. | Apply → |
| Copper C110 (Pure ETP) | Brass & Copper | 80-100 HB | 70-110 SFM (21-34 m/min) | 100-150 SFM (30-46 m/min) | 200-350 SFM (61-107 m/min) | Flood with soluble oil or kerosene-based fluid. | Apply → |
| Titanium Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) | High Temp / Titanium | 320-360 HB | 25-45 SFM (8-14 m/min) | 35-60 SFM (11-18 m/min) | 90-160 SFM (27-49 m/min) | High pressure flood coolant (1000 PSI / 70 bar preferred). Low speed, high feed. | Apply → |
| Inconel 718 (Nickel Superalloy) | High Temp / Titanium | 350-400 HB | 15-25 SFM (5-8 m/min) | 20-35 SFM (6-11 m/min) | 50-90 SFM (15-27 m/min) | High pressure through-spindle coolant with extreme pressure (EP) additives. | Apply → |
| Delrin / Acetal / POM | Plastics | 80-85 Shore D | 250-500 SFM (76-152 m/min) | 350-700 SFM (107-213 m/min) | 600-1200 SFM (183-366 m/min) | Compressed air blast or water-based coolant. | Apply → |
| Nylon 6/6 | Plastics | 75-80 Shore D | 200-400 SFM (61-122 m/min) | 300-550 SFM (91-168 m/min) | 500-1000 SFM (152-305 m/min) | Air blast. Water cooling prevents thermal expansion and hole undersizing. | Apply → |