Cutting tool materials and capabilities: Identify the incorrect (wrong) statement among the following performance claims.

Introduction / Context:
Different cutting tool materials offer distinct combinations of hot hardness, chemical stability, and toughness. Typical relative speed and temperature capabilities are well established in handbooks. The task is to spot the claim that is clearly incorrect.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Reference baseline: high-speed steel (HSS).
• Common categories: cemented carbides, ceramics (alumina-based, SiAlON), diamond/cBN, and cermets.
• Orders of magnitude and approximate ranges are acceptable.

Concept / Approach:
Ceramics exhibit exceptional hot hardness and can cut effectively at temperatures well above 600°C (often 1000–1200°C zone). Carbides typically allow several times HSS cutting speeds. Diamond is a superabrasive allowing extremely high speeds in nonferrous materials. Thus, a statement limiting ceramics to 600°C is wrong.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Tool vendor datasheets and machining handbooks report ceramic cutting temperatures commonly in the four-digit Kelvin range for hardened steels and cast irons.

Why Other Options Are Not Wrong:

• Diamond hardness/speed superiority is broadly correct for nonferrous use.
• Ceramic speed range 10–20× HSS is a reasonable rule-of-thumb.
• Carbide 3–5× HSS is typical.
• Cermets indeed bridge performance between carbides and ceramics.

Common Pitfalls:
Taking every numerical multiplier literally; these are approximate and application-dependent, but the temperature limit in option (d) is clearly incorrect.

Final Answer:
Ceramic tools can withstand temperatures only up to 600°C.