Graphite becomes the prevailing electrode material in electrical discharging machining （EDM）currently.Orthogonal cutting experiments are carried out to study the characteristics of graphite chip formation process.High speed milling experiments are conducted to study tool wear and cutting forces.The results show that depth of cut has great influence on graphite chip formation.The removal process of graphite in high speed milling is the mutual result of cutting and grinding process. Graphite is prone to cause severe abrasion wear to coated carbide endmills due to its high abrasiveness nature.The major patterns of tool wear are flank wear,rake wear,micro-chipping and breakage. Cutting forces can be reduced by adoption of higher cutting speed,moderate feed per tooth,smaller radial and axial depths of cut,and up cutting.
