SBN K-TIP™ - Sintered CBN compacts by Showa Denko

SBN K-TIP™ is a sintered compact of cubic boron nitride (CBN) manufactured by Showa Denko. CBN is the hardest substance next to diamond and offers a high corrosion resistance while causing no chemical reaction with iron. Thus, CBN is mainly used for steel processing tools. Showa Denko offers two different series of CBN products: the KT series and the KS series.

Various forms of SBN K-TIP™

The KS series

The KS series consists solely of solid sintered CBN compacts that are one of the world‘s largest. Up to now, small chips of sintered CBN have been used as tips for cutting tools. However, because of its excellent properties and the progression of tool technology CBN is now used for rotating tools like reamers, drills and end mills as well.
The sintered compacts are used for cutting very hard materials, including engine cylinders, brake disks and other automotive parts. Although grinding is now the mainstream technology, it involves problems with regard to the disposal of waste water and operational efficiency. Demand for CBN compacts is expected to grow as CBN-based cutting tools replace the current grinding process.
At Showa Denko a minimum thickness of 0.5mm and a maximum thickness of 20mm are available. Correspondingly, a 12mm thickness can be provided for a 29mm diameter disk, and up to 20mm thickness for a 60mm diameter disk. That way we hope we can accommodate various requirements of shape and thickness.

Solid type CBN product

a)      Available Diameters:
- 60mm diameter:          KS10 (cast iron) and KS25 (hardened steel)
- 29mm diameter:          KS10 (cast iron), and
                                         KS25, KS30X and KS30N (hardened steel)

b) Available Thickness:
- Ø60mm: maximum thickness 20.0mm
(1.0mm – 5.9mm in 0.1mm intervals, 6.0mm – 20.0mm in 1.0mm intervals)
- Ø29mm: maximum thickness 12.0mm
(0.5mm – 5.9mm in 0.1mm intervals, 6.0mm – 12.0mm in 1.0mm intervals)

The KT series

Our KT series combines a sintered CBN compact layer with a cemented carbide layer. The CBN layer consists of CBN grains that form the skeleton and special binders that fill the voids and create coherent bonds.
It can be used for cutting hard ferrous alloys and other materials that are hard to process. It can also be used as a raw material for parts that need to be very corrosion resistant.
The KT series of SBN K-TIP™ offers six variations (KT10, KT10C, KT20C, KT30 and KT30N) enabling a wide range of applications.
Additionally to these six variations KT30X offers an upgraded corrosion resistance and is suitable for interrupted cutting. We can deliver all kinds of forms and a maximum diameter of 60mm.

The G type: Advanced version of the KT series

Compared to former products of the KT series, the G type offers a thicker CBN layer. It can be used for small CBN end ball mills, for example, that are utilized for finishing a stamping die mould. In the mobile phone production the use of this method has resulted in distinct saving of labor.
At Showa Denko the thickness of the CBN layer can be adjusted to your wishes, while the maximum thickness available is 3mm (formerly 1mm). The overall maximum thickness is 12mm (formerly 5mm). Thus, it can even be used for a long neck ball end mill that has a diameter of less than 2mm.

Comparison of normal KT series' and G type KT series' sintered CBN compacts

If you are interested in our sintered CBN compacts, please don't hesitate to contact our Chemicals Group for further information!

< back