Abstract: Dry face milling experiments on nickel-base PM superalloy,are conducted using coated carbide tools.By the use of SEM,digital microscope and energy spectrometer,the failure morphology and mechanisms of rake face and flank face wear of carbide tools are investigated.Experimental results indicate that under the conditions,the primary failure modes of coated carbide tools are chipping and peeling off in the rake face,the failure mechanisms are abrasive,adhesion,diffusion and fatigue failure.