Inconel holds its strength where steel would long since have given up - at high temperature, in aggressive chemistry. That same tenacity is what makes it one of the hardest alloys to machine.
Nickel alloys work-harden aggressively and conduct heat poorly, so cutting forces are high, heat piles up at the edge and tools fail fast. The hardened layer left by a dull tool then makes the next pass even harder - a cycle that has to be broken deliberately.
Re-cutting a hardened surface multiplies forces. We keep the tool engaged and always cutting under the hardened skin.
Heat and abrasion destroy edges quickly. Dedicated tooling and enforced tool-life limits protect the part, not just the tool.
A damaged layer can hit fatigue life. Controlled parameters and finishing passes keep the surface sound.
Aerospace and energy components, chemical and process hardware, high-temperature instrumentation, semiconductor and vacuum parts.