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Comparing Steel and Carbide Boring Bars

When setting up a boring project, the operator has the choice between a carbide or steel boring bar. The question is which one? In this blog we provide information to help make that choice.

 

Steel Boring Bars

The standard steel boring bar has a common length to diameter ratio of 3 to 1. However, an operator can make adjustments to achieve ratios of 4 to 1 or 5 to 1. A length to diameter ratios of 10 to 1 can be attained when using a steel dampened boring bar. A steel bar can be modified while it is more difficult with a carbide boring bar.

 

Carbide Boring Bars

A carbide bar offers diameter ratios up to 6 to 1 with 14 to 1 ratio possible with carbide reinforced dampened bars. While a steel boring bar is somewhat flexible, carbide is extremely rigid, allowing for a much higher stickout with less chatter.  

A carbide boring bar is significantly more expensive compared to a steel boring bar, but it is about 2.5x more rigid. This difference means it won't bend as much when a greater force for the same deflection is applied. The result is less tool deflection, longer usable stickout, less chatter and fewer spring passes.

 

In conclusion, steel boring bars are great for an economical workaday project. Carbide boring bars, because of the cost, might be best saved for special applications.

 

Universal DeVlieg provides innovative and cost-cutting tool holding and high precision boring solutions to the machine tool industry, servicing a diversified customer base. The combination of over 32,000 active part numbers, over 10,000 standard items, and our technical support staff deliver design engineering expertise that is unmatched in the industry. To learn more about Universal DeVlieg, contact