Carbide Ball Nose End Mill for Hardened Steel

Carbide ball nose end mills for complex cavity machining, inclined surfaces, curved profiles and 3D contour finishing of hardened mold, die and tool steels in the HRC60–68 range.

The 0.4 μm ultra-fine carbide substrate, 9% cobalt content, DR3 bronze high-wear-resistant coating, 68% reinforced core and 35° helix geometry help improve rigidity, wear resistance and surface-machining stability. Standard sizes, long-neck tools, custom dimensions, OEM marking and private-label packaging are available.

Flute Options: 2F / Custom
Carbide Grain Size: Approximately 0.4 μm
Cobalt Content: 9%
Coating: DR3 Bronze High-Wear-Resistant Coating
Core Diameter: 68% Reinforced Core
Peripheral Rake Angle: 0° to −5°
Helix Angle: 35°
Edge Preparation: Controlled Within ±3 μm
Ball Radius Accuracy: 0.003–0.005 mm
Workpiece Hardness: HRC60–68

Description

BALL NOSE END MILL · HARDENED STEEL · HRC60–68

Product Overview

This carbide ball nose end mill is designed for complex cavity
machining, inclined surfaces, curved profiles and three-dimensional
contour finishing of hardened mold, die and tool steels in the
HRC60–68 hardness range.

Also commonly referred to as a ball milling cutter, it combines
a 0.4 μm ultra-fine carbide substrate, 9% cobalt content,
DR3 bronze high-wear-resistant coating, a 68% reinforced core
and 35° helix geometry for stable high-hardness finishing.

HRC60–68
2F / Custom
R Accuracy 0.003–0.005 mm
OEM & Private Label

Recommended Machining Applications

The full-radius ball nose profile and 35° helix support continuous
cutting contact during cavity, inclined-surface and complex contour
machining of hardened steel.

01

Complex Cavity Machining

Suitable for hardened mold cavities, recessed areas
and internal profiles with continuously changing
cutting engagement.

02

Inclined-Surface Finishing

Designed for sloped surfaces and transition features
where the effective cutting position changes along
the machining path.

03

Curved-Surface Milling

Supports free-form surfaces, rounded profiles and
complex mold geometries in high-hardness steel.

04

3D Contour Finishing

Suitable for controlled semi-finishing and finishing
of three-dimensional mold profiles and detailed
surface features.

Ball Nose End Mill for HRC65 Mold Steel

This product is suitable for high-hardness mold steel finishing,
including applications around HRC65. Tool selection should be
based on the actual measured workpiece hardness, machining stage,
tool overhang and machine rigidity.

Recommended Conditions

  • Controlled semi-finishing and finishing
  • Rigid machine and toolholding system
  • Low spindle and holder runout
  • Short and stable tool overhang
  • Consistent finishing allowance
  • Stable contour or cavity toolpath

Selection Notes

  • HRC65 refers to workpiece hardness
  • It does not indicate a 65° cutting angle
  • Confirm hardness after heat treatment
  • Use reduced engagement at higher hardness
  • Long-neck tools require stricter stability control
  • Send the application details before ordering

Ball Nose Geometry and Cutting Performance

The carbide substrate, coating, reinforced core, precision ball
profile and controlled edge preparation work together to support
stable finishing of hardened mold and tool steels.

01

0.4 μm Ultra-Fine Carbide

The carbide substrate uses imported ultra-fine powder
with an approximate grain size of 0.4 μm, supporting
high hardness, wear resistance and consistent
cutting-edge geometry.

02

9% Cobalt Content

A 9% cobalt content balances carbide hardness,
cutting-edge strength and fracture resistance during
high-hardness surface machining.

03

DR3 Bronze Wear-Resistant Coating

The Balzers DR3 bronze-colored coating helps resist
cutting heat and abrasive wear at operating temperatures
up to approximately 1300°C.

04

68% Reinforced Core

The large 68% core diameter improves cutter rigidity
and helps reduce tool deflection and vibration during
hardened steel contour finishing.

05

Full-Radius Ball Nose Profile

The full-radius cutting profile provides continuous
contact during cavity, curved-surface, inclined-surface
and three-dimensional contour machining.

06

35° Helix Geometry

The 35° helix supports smooth engagement and stable
cutting during cavity, inclined-surface and curved-profile
finishing operations.

07

0° to −5° Peripheral Rake

The controlled negative peripheral rake strengthens
the cutting edge and helps reduce premature chipping
when machining hardened steel.

08

Ball Radius Accuracy of 0.003–0.005 mm

Walter five-axis precision grinding controls the ball
profile accuracy to approximately 0.003–0.005 mm for
repeatable cavity and contour finishing.

09

Automated Edge Honing

Automated rubber-bonded diamond polishing helps maintain
consistent preparation across all cutting edges, with
the honing value controlled within ±3 μm.

10

Walter Five-Axis Grinding

Walter five-axis precision grinding supports cutting-edge
sharpness, ball-profile accuracy and repeatable tool
geometry for smoother hardened steel finishing.

Standard Ball Nose End Mill Sizes

Standard metric sizes, long-neck configurations and customized
dimensions are available for hardened steel and mold steel
finishing applications.

Tool Diameter Standard Metric Sizes / Custom Diameter
Ball Radius R = 1/2 of Tool Diameter
Flute Length Standard / Long Neck / Custom
Neck Length Standard / Extended / Custom
Shank Diameter Standard Shank / Custom Shank
Overall Length Standard / Extended Length / Custom
Flute Options 2 Flutes / Custom

Send us the required diameter, flute length, neck length,
shank diameter, overall length, workpiece hardness and
order quantity to receive the current size list and quotation.

Available Configurations

Standard and customized carbide ball nose end mills can be
supplied according to the actual workpiece hardness, mold geometry,
tool overhang, finishing requirement and purchasing quantity.

Tool Type Carbide Ball Nose End Mill
Flute Options 2 Flutes / Custom
Carbide Grain Size Approximately 0.4 μm
Cobalt Content 9%
Coating Balzers DR3 Bronze High-Wear-Resistant Coating
Temperature Resistance Up to Approximately 1300°C
Core Diameter 68% Reinforced Core Design
Peripheral Rake 0° to −5°
Helix Angle 35°
Edge Preparation Automated Diamond Polishing,
Controlled Within ±3 μm
Ball Radius Accuracy Approximately 0.003–0.005 mm
Hardness Range Recommended for HRC60–68 Hardened Steel
Diameter and Length Standard Sizes / Long Neck /
Custom Dimensions
Marking ZHY Logo / Customer Logo /
Customer Model Number
Packaging Standard Packaging /
Private-Label Packaging

Recommended Workpiece Materials

This carbide ball nose end mill is mainly recommended for
controlled semi-finishing and finishing of workpieces with
actual measured hardness in the HRC60–68 range.

Heat-Treated H13 Steel
Hardened S136 Steel
Hardened Mold Steel
Quenched Die Steel
Hardened Tool Steel
Selected Powder Tool Steel

Wholesale and OEM Support

ZHY supplies standard and customized carbide ball nose end mills
for distributors, importers, mold manufacturers, CNC workshops
and private-label cutting-tool brands.

Wholesale Order Support

  • Standard and mixed-size orders
  • 2-flute and customized configurations
  • Samples for hardened steel machining tests
  • Bulk quotations based on size and quantity
  • Long-neck and customized dimensions
  • Application review based on actual HRC hardness

OEM and Private Label

  • Customer logo laser marking
  • Customer product and model numbers
  • Custom labels and barcode stickers
  • Plastic box and outer carton options
  • Private-label packaging support
  • Packaging verification before shipment

Production and Ball Radius Inspection

Precision grinding, controlled edge honing and ball-profile
inspection support consistent geometry and repeatable
batch delivery.

Carbide Material Verification
Walter Five-Axis Grinding
68% Core Geometry Inspection
35° Helix Inspection
Automated Edge Honing
Ball Radius Measurement
Coating Appearance Inspection
Final Packaging Inspection

Request a Hardened Steel Ball Nose End Mill Quotation

Send us the required diameter, flute length, neck length,
overall length, workpiece grade, actual HRC hardness,
machining feature, quantity and packaging requirements.
Our team will review the application and provide a suitable quotation.


Request a Wholesale Quote