Face milling of the EN AB-43300 aluminum alloy by PVD- and CVD-coated cemented carbide inserts

► WC-6Co cemented carbide inserts for Al-alloy face milling, coated with PVD TiB2 or CVD diamond. ► Preliminary ranking by dry sliding tests against EN AB-43300: better results with CVD-Diamond on Extramet EMT100. ► Face milling tests (with 2 tool geometries, A/B) with reference PCD inserts. ► Geometry of the tool: main parameter in influencing the tool performance. ► B-geometry tools with CVD-diamond: decreasing cutting fluid feed not detrimental for wear resistance or workpiece surface quality.