What makes one grade different from another
- Binder content (usually cobalt): more binder generally means a tougher, more impact-resistant grade, and a lower hardness and wear resistance.
- Tungsten carbide grain size: finer grains generally give higher hardness and edge strength; coarser grains give more toughness, which is why mining grades tend to be coarse-grained.
- Binder type: nickel-bonded grades are used where corrosion would attack a cobalt binder, for example seawater or some chemical service, and where a non-magnetic part is needed.
- Additives: small additions of other carbides are used to control grain growth or improve high-temperature behaviour, mainly in cutting grades.
ISO 513 application groups
ISO 513 groups hard cutting materials by the workpiece they are meant to cut — P (steel), M (stainless steel), K (cast iron), N (non-ferrous metals), S (heat-resistant alloys and titanium) and H (hardened materials), with a number indicating the position between wear resistance and toughness. It is an application classification, not a composition.
For carbide rods sold to tool makers, we state the suitable ISO groups for each grade. For wear parts, mining inserts and dies, the ISO cutting groups do not apply; the grade is chosen on binder content, grain size and service conditions instead.
Reading Chinese grade names (YG, YT, YW)
Many carbide producers in China use designations from the Chinese national standard. "YG" grades are tungsten carbide–cobalt grades, and the number is the nominal cobalt percentage — YG8 is nominally 8 % cobalt. Suffixes commonly indicate grain size, for example "X" for fine grain and "C" for coarse grain. "YT" and "YW" grades contain titanium and other carbides and are used mainly for cutting tools.
Names are a starting point only. Two producers' YG8 are not guaranteed to have the same hardness or strength, so always compare the data sheets.
What we confirm for the grade in your quotation
| Property | Why it matters | |
|---|---|---|
| Binder content (%) | Toughness versus wear resistance | |
| Grain size class | Hardness | edge strength and toughness |
| Density (g/cm³) | Checks composition and sintering quality | |
| Hardness (HRA or HV) | Wear resistance | |
| Transverse rupture strength (N/mm²) | Resistance to breakage under bending |
Values are taken from the producer's data sheet or test report for that grade, with the test method stated. If you work to a specific standard or need test certificates with the shipment, tell us when you request a quote.
Not sure which grade you need?
Tell us what the part does, what it is made of today and how it fails — wear, chipping, cracking or corrosion. That is usually enough for us to propose a grade and explain why.