Grades and applications

Raw material quality is determined by the quality of the tungsten carbide (WC) and cobalt (Co). We offer grain sizes from fine to ultrafine, giving countless options for different applications and machining processes.

Cobalt is the binder: the higher its fraction, the tougher and less hard the grade. Grain size works alongside it — an ultrafine grain allows the cobalt to be raised without losing hardness. It is these two variables together, not cobalt alone, that define each grade’s application field.

K6UF | GC060S

K55SF | GC090U

AK09N

AK08U

K20F | GC080S

K44UFS | GC120U

UH12

K40UFS | GC100S

AK12U

AK10F

MH10F

APPLICATIONS

Recommended application table

The columns follow each grade’s ISO 513 classification, from hardest to toughest: K05–K10 for finishing and wear resistance, K10–K20, K20–K30 for general purpose and K20–K40 for roughing and wide range.

● Recommended ○ Suitable

OPERATION / MATERIAL	K6UF GC060S	K55SF GC090U	AK09N	AK08U	K20F GC080S	K44UFS GC120U	UH12	K40UFS GC100S	MH10F	AK10F	AK12U
Drilling	○	○	○	●	●	●	●	●	●	●	●
Milling	○	○	○	●	●	●	●	●	●	●	●
Reaming and finishing	●	●	●	●	○	○	○
Threading	○	○	○	●	●	●	●	○	○	○	○
Low and medium alloy steel	○	○	○	●	●	●	●	●	●	●	●
High alloy steel				○	●	●	●	●	●	●	●
Austenitic stainless steel				○	●	●	●	●	●	●	●
Cast iron	●	●	●	●	●	●	●	○	○	○	○
Aluminium alloys	●	●	●	●	●	●	●	○	○	○	○
Copper alloys	●	●	●	●	○	○	○
Titanium alloys					●	●	●	●	●	●	●
Nickel alloys and superalloys					●	●	●	●	●	●	●
Heat-resistant materials					●	●	●	●	●	●	●
Composites and GRP	●	●	●	●	○	○	○
Graphite	●	●	●	○
Plastics	●	●	●	●	●	●	●	○	○	○	○
Wood	●	●	●	●	●	●	●	○	○	○	○
Hardened metals	●	●	●	●	○	○	○

Initial selection guidance, based on each grade’s ISO 513 classification. For a definitive recommendation, taking geometry, coating and cutting conditions into account, talk to our sales team.

SPECIFICATIONS

Physical and chemical properties

GRADE	% WC	% Co	GRAIN µm	HARDNESS HV30	FLEXURAL MPa	ISO 513
K6UF \| GC060S	94,0	6,0	0,5 – 0,8	1870	3900	K05 – K10
K55SF \| GC090U	91,0	9,0	0,2 – 0,5	1920	3800	K05 – K10
AK09N	91,0	9,0	0,2	2050	4200	K05 – K10
AK08U	92,0	8,0	0,4 – 0,5	1930	3800	K10 – K20
K20F \| GC080S	92,0	8,0	0,5 – 0,8	1720	3800	K20 – K30
K44UFS \| GC120U	88,0	12,0	0,2 – 0,5	1690	4000	K20 – K30
UH12	88,0	12,0	0,2 – 0,5	1660	4000	K20 – K30
K40UFS \| GC100S	90,0	10,0	0,5 – 0,8	1620	4100	K20 – K40
AK12U	88,0	12,0	0,4 – 0,5	1750	4200	K20 – K40
AK10F	90,0	10,0	0,6 – 0,8	1630	4000	K20 – K40
MH10F	90,0	10,0	0,5 – 0,8	1610	3800	K20 – K40

Typical values from the manufacturers’ data sheets, grouped by ISO 513 classification. Flexural strength is measured in N/mm², equivalent to MPa. Values may vary with sample preparation and measurement method.

History of tungsten carbide

How tungsten carbide became the material of cutting tools.

Read the history

Production process

See our suppliers’ production process, from mixing to sintering.

See the process

Properties

Hardness, toughness and wear resistance according to cobalt content and grain size.

Looking for a specific rod?

Our team advises on the application and confirms stock availability.

Request a quote Catalogue (PDF)