Advanced Cutting Materials — PCD, CVD Diamond, Ultra Diamond & CBN Inserts

PCD, CVD Diamond, Ultra Diamond & CBN Inserts | FM Carbide

Digital technical catalog / Advanced materials

PCD, CVD Diamond, Ultra Diamond & CBN Inserts

Browse advanced cutting-material inserts by workpiece and application. Compare available ISO families, understand when each material is appropriate, and request a configuration matched to the operation.

Representative PCD, CVD Diamond, Ultra Diamond and CBN cutting inserts on white
Representative insert geometriesSupplied by quotation
01 / Select the material

Four technologies.
One application path.

Choose a category to see its application range and available ISO insert families. The interface stays on this page, making comparison fast on desktop or mobile.

02 / Selection guide

Which advanced insert material should you choose?

Start with the workpiece—not the insert shape. The workpiece chemistry, hardness, abrasiveness, surface-finish requirement and whether the cut is continuous or interrupted determine the best cutting material.

PCD

Best starting point: aluminum below 10% silicon, brass, copper alloys, magnesium, graphite and many plastics. Choose it for predictable production, low friction and long edge life in non-ferrous materials.

CVD Diamond

Best starting point: high-silicon aluminum, ceramics, composites, glass ceramics and highly abrasive materials. Choose it when abrasion makes conventional PCD wear too quickly.

Ultra Diamond

Best starting point: carbide, optical components, ceramics, glass and demanding abrasive materials. Choose it when exceptional wear resistance and extremely fine finish are the priority.

CBN

Best starting point: hardened steel, tool steel, cast iron, hardened sintered steel and selected superalloys. Choose it for hard turning, finishing and stable high-temperature cutting of ferrous materials.

PCD / Polycrystalline diamond

PCD insert families

Quote this category
No insert family matches this search. Try the first four letters of the ISO designation.

Availability, dimensions, grade and edge preparation are confirmed at quotation. Product families are organized from the current technical catalogs and may be expanded as additional configurations become available.

04 / Frequently asked machining questions

Advanced insert selection, answered.

What is the difference between PCD, CVD Diamond and Ultra Diamond inserts?

PCD balances toughness, finish and tool life in aluminum and non-ferrous machining. Binderless CVD Diamond provides higher wear resistance in abrasive and hard-brittle materials. Ultra Diamond is a monocrystalline binderless cutting material for exceptionally abrasive applications and very fine surface finishes.

When should I choose CBN instead of a diamond insert?

Choose CBN for hardened steels, cast irons, hardened sintered materials and many nickel- or cobalt-base alloys. Diamond cutting materials are generally selected for non-ferrous, composite, ceramic, carbide and other abrasive non-ferrous applications.

Can FM Carbide quote an insert from an ISO or ANSI designation?

Yes. Send the ISO or ANSI designation together with the workpiece material, hardness, operation, cutting conditions, holder or cutter information and required quantity. We will confirm geometry, cutting material, edge preparation and availability.

Are advanced-material inserts available to buy directly online?

These application-specific PCD, CVD Diamond, Ultra Diamond and CBN configurations are currently supplied by quotation. Availability, dimensions, cutting-edge configuration and grade are confirmed for each request.

Can diamond inserts machine hardened steel?

Diamond is generally not the preferred cutting material for ferrous workpieces at elevated cutting temperatures. For hardened steel and most hard ferrous applications, CBN is normally the appropriate starting point.

What information produces the most accurate recommendation?

Provide the workpiece specification and hardness, operation, current insert or holder, depth of cut, feed, cutting speed, coolant condition, continuous or interrupted cut, finish requirement and expected quantity.

Application quotation

Send the cut.
We’ll match the insert.

Include the workpiece material, hardness, operation, ISO designation, cutting conditions and expected quantity. We’ll confirm the suitable cutting material, grade and edge preparation.

Request a quote