The right coating turns a good tool into the right tool.
RobbJack cutting tools are finished with Crystallume coatings — a RobbJack brand. Engineered films matched to your material for wear resistance, lower friction, higher hardness, and longer life.
Which coating for your material?
Pick a coating by the work material and operation — that's what decides performance at the cut, not a spec-sheet number. Here's where each coating earns its place.
| Work material | AlTiNScorpion Stinger | TiCNPython Scales | TiNKing Cobra | DLCBlack Mamba | DCCDiamond Coated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum & non-ferrous | — | — | — | Best | |
| Copper & brass | — | — | — | Best | — |
| Magnesium | — | — | — | Best | — |
| Plastics | — | — | — | Best | — |
| Wood | — | — | — | Best | — |
| Graphite & composites | — | — | — | Best | |
| Steel (soft / unalloyed) | Best | — | — | ||
| Cast iron | Best | Best | — | — | |
| Stainless steel | Best | — | — | ||
| Hardened steel (>50 HRC) | Best | — | — | — | — |
| Titanium | Best | — | — | — | |
| Inconel & super alloys | Best | — | — | — |
Best first choice also good— not recommendedUncoated is often best for aluminum at high feed.DCC = CVD diamond, for abrasive composites & graphite — see the composites guide.
Scorpion Stinger
AlTiN · Violet-Black
Built for heat — high-temperature AlTiN for high-speed and dry machining where the edge runs hot.
- Hardness
- 3,300 HV
- Max temp
- 900 °C
- Friction
- 0.5–0.6
- Thickness
- 1–4 μm
Best for
Applications
- High-speed milling & drilling
- Dry machining
- Dies & molds at heat
Python Scales
TiCN · Gunmetal Grey
Extra hardness and toughness with strong abrasion resistance — a go-to for demanding cutting and forming below its 400 °C limit.
- Hardness
- 3,200 HV
- Max temp
- 400 °C
- Friction
- ~0.4
- Thickness
- 1–4 μm
Best for
Applications
- Interrupted cuts
- Punches & shear blades
- Stamping / forming dies
King Cobra
TiN · Gold
The proven all-rounder — hardness and wear resistance with a signature gold finish.
- Hardness
- 2,800 HV
- Max temp
- 600 °C
- Friction
- 0.4–0.5
- Thickness
- 1–4 μm
Best for
Applications
- General cutting tools
- Forming tools
- Injection molds
Black Mamba
DLC · Black
DLC tuned for cutting tools — ultra-low friction for clean chip flow and long edge life on non-ferrous.
- Hardness
- 2,000 HV
- Max temp
- 450 °C
- Friction
- 0.05–0.15
- Thickness
- 1–4 μm
Best for
Applications
- Non-ferrous machining
- Anti built-up-edge
- High-finish work
Not sure which coating fits your job?
Tell us your material and operation — we'll recommend the tool and the coating to run it.