In general, the higher the hardness and strength of the cast iron, the lower the metal cutting performance and the lower the expected life from the blade and the tool. Most of the types of metal cutting performance for cast iron used in metal cutting production are generally good. The metal cutting performance is related to the structure, and the harder pearlite cast iron is also more difficult to process. Flaky graphite cast iron and malleable cast iron have excellent cutting properties, and ductile cast iron is rather poor.

     The main types of wear encountered when machining cast iron are: Abrasive, adhesive, and diffuse wear. Abrasions are mainly caused by carbides, sand inclusions, and hard cast skins. Adhesive wear with built-up edge occurs at low cutting temperature and cutting speed conditions. The ferrite portion of cast iron is most easily welded to the blade, but this can be overcome by increasing the cutting speed and temperature.