Material Application Codes (MAC)

Matching diamond tools to applications
sp3 offers diamond tools in four major types:
DIAbide (thin-film diamond)
TFd (thick-film diamond)
PCD (polycrystalline diamond)
CBN (cubic boron nitride)
The best match of tools to specific workpiece materials and machining operations are identified by Material Application Codes or MAC numbers. In the case of DIAbide, different coatings are available to provide different machining characteristics. MACs are identified by a 1- or 2-digit suffix on the part number; for example 12085-7 or TPG-432-18.
Higher numbered MACs represent a thicker diamond surface and a more robust tool. With DIAbide tools, lower numbered MACs tend to have a sharper edge. For less abrasive and less brittle materials, you may achieve a smoother surface finish with a lower MAC. sp3 recommends that you use the lowest MAC that is suitable for the material you are machining.
Find your application material in the table below, then select the MAC from the column that corresponds to the operation you are performing. Add this MAC to the sp3 tool part number or geometry description to provide a complete ordering number.
MAC values up through 20 apply to DIAbide tools
MAC 30 applies to PCD tools.
MAC 40 applies to TFd tools.
MAC 50 applies to CBN tools

The tool catalog tables on this website show the MACs available for each tool. Here's an example: You wish to use a 1/8" endmill to rough endmill graphite. The table shows the MAC is 5. The endmill catalog lists a choice of 8 1/8" diameter tools. Say the geometry you want is sp3 part number 12001. Your ordering number is 12001-5.
If you have any questions, sp3's experienced tool engineers are available to help you with your particular needs. Often a slightly different MAC will help you with a unique application problem.

MATERIAL APPLICATION CODES (MAC)
Material Type Drilling Endmilling Insert
Milling		 Turning
Roughing Finishing* Roughing Finishing*
Graphite 5 5 3 (5) 17 17 17
Hard carbon 7 7 5 18 18 18
Green carbide 5 5 3 17 17 17
Green ceramic 5 5 3 17 17 17
CMC (Ceramic Matrix Composite 8 8   18 (40) 18 (40) 17 (30/40)
Concrete materials            
Unfilled plastics 5     17 (30/40) 17 (30/40) 30/40
Filled plastics 5 (7) 5 (7) 5 17 (30/40) 17 (30/40) 30/40
Thermoset plastics 7 7 5 18 (40) 18 (40) 40
Carbon fiber composites 8 8 8 18 (30/40) 18 (30/40) 30/40
Glass fiber composites 8 8 8 20 (30/40) 20 (30/40) 30/40
Metal clad glass fiber composites 5 5   18 (30/40) 18 (30/40) 30/40
Aramid fiber composites 8 8   18 (30/40) 18 (30/40) 30/40
Kevlar composites 8 8 8 30/40 30/40 30/40
Free machining aluminums 7 7   10 (30/40) 10 (30/40) 30/40
Low silicon aluminums (<12%) 7 8 30/40 18 (30/40) 18 (30/40) 30/40
High silicon aluminums (>12%) 8 8 30/40 20 (30/40) 20 (30/40) 30/40
MMC (Metal Matrix Composites) 8 8 8 20 (30/40) 20 (30/40) 40
Copper 5 (7) 7 30/40 30/40 30/40 30/40
Brass 5 (7) 7 30/40 30/40 30/40 30/40
Bronze 5 (7) 7 30/40 30/40 30/40 30/40
Nickel            
Iron/steel       50 50 50
Cobalt            
Chrome            
Molybdenum            
Tungsten            
Titanium            
*Finishing applications. Use where surface finish is more critical or very thin sections demand reduced tool pressure.
Items shown in parentheses can be used as an alternate choice.
Areas shown in gray are not suitable for CVD diamond tools.
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