ISO N — Non-Ferrous · N10
N10 — Aluminium alloys (cast)
Hardness range: 75–130 HB. Part of the ISO N — Non-Ferrous group. Non-ferrous metals (aluminium, copper, brass, magnesium) are soft and thermally conductive. Uncoated or DLC-coated fine-grain carbide with high positive rake, sharp edges, and polished flutes prevents built-up-edge. PCD inserts excel in high-volume aluminium production. No TiN/TiAlN coatings — aluminium welds to them.
Material profile — N10
- ISO designation
- N10 (ISO N — Non-Ferrous)
- Material
- Aluminium alloys (cast)
- Hardness
- 75–130 HB
- ISO group colour
- Non-Ferrous
Tooling guidance — N-group
- Group summary
- Uncoated or DLC carbide for aluminium. Sharp edges, high positive rake, polished flutes prevent BUE.
Insert selection for cast aluminium (A356 / ADC12) — starting point
- ISO application class
- N (non-ferrous). Cast aluminium is often high-silicon, which is abrasive; PCD is the durable answer for high-silicon or long runs. Match the ISO N class across brands rather than the brand name (Sandvik, Kennametal, Iscar, Walter, Seco and Mitsubishi each publish one), then confirm the exact grade for your condition.
- Grade & coating
- PCD for high-silicon cast alloys (A356, ADC12) and long runs; polished uncoated or DLC carbide for low-silicon or short runs.
- Geometry
- Sharp, high positive rake, polished flute, open chipbreaker; good chip evacuation.
- Starting parameters
- Carbide Vc ≈ 200–800 m/min, fn ≈ 0.05–0.30 mm/rev, with coolant or MQL; PCD runs higher still. Confirm in the advisor or on a sample part.
cast aluminium (A356 / ADC12): what goes wrong, and what to check first
- Abrasive silicon wear
- The silicon in cast aluminium abrades carbide quickly. Move to PCD for high-silicon alloys or long runs.
- Built-up edge / smear
- Chip load too low so the edge rubs. Raise the feed, use a sharp polished positive edge, and flush chips.
- Long gummy chips
- Open the chipbreaker, raise the feed, and use polished flutes.
- Poor finish at high RPM
- More RPM at the same feed thins the chip until it rubs; raise feed per tooth, not just speed.
Reference data
Insert grade index
ISO insert-code index
CNMG120408 — general turning
CCMT09T304 — positive finishing
Tool-wear diagnosis
Get cutting parameters for Aluminium alloys (cast)
The AI advisor maps your specific material condition and operation to a verified insert grade, coating, and Vc/fn range — with live search across the latest tooling catalogs.
Related materials