C3
ISO K10
C3 is a finer-grain, harder US straight-carbide (K-group) grade for finishing cuts on cast iron and non-ferrous alloys, offered uncoated, in submicron grain and coated conditions.
Reference datasheet — C3 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
C3 tempers and conditions
C3 is supplied in one standard condition, SUBMICRON.
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways C3 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
UncoatedDefault | Fine-grain WC-6Co, as-ground | Coating |
What is C3?
C3 is a finer-grain, harder US straight-carbide (K-group) grade for finishing cuts on cast iron and non-ferrous alloys, offered uncoated, in submicron grain and coated conditions. It is chosen for precision tooling and finish turning where edge retention matters more than impact strength, and is stocked as inserts, blanks and rod. Elastic modulus is 630 GPa, thermal conductivity 85 W/m·K and maximum service temperature about 800 °C; the finer grain and lower binder content reduce toughness, so interrupted cuts favour C2. Post-sinter shaping is limited to diamond grinding and EDM. C3 has a density of 14.9 g/cm³ (0.538 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). C3 has a tensile strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi), stronger than 97% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 630 GPa (91.4 Msi).
What is C3 used for?
- finish turning cast iron
- non-ferrous finishing
- precision tooling
Advantages
- Stiff — 630 GPa (91.4 Msi), better than 95% of ceramic grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 9 MPa·√m (8.19 ksi·√in), better than 82% of ceramic grades
- Conducts heat well — 85 W/m·K (49.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of ceramic grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 90/100, better than 78% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 14.9 g/cm³ (0.538 lb/in³), worse than 96% of ceramic grades
- High embodied carbon — 30 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 91% of ceramic grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 90% of ceramic grades
C3 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
C3 has a density of 14.9 g/cm³ (0.538 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Mechanical13
C3 has a tensile strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi), stronger than 97% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 630 GPa (91.4 Msi).
Thermal5
C3 is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 85 W/m·K (49.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 5.2 µm/m·K (2.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
C3 has an electrical resistivity of 2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 90% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C3 takes about 400 MJ of energy and emits 30 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability3
C3's machinability is not recommended (3/100, worse than 95% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the ceramic family
Yield strength against density for every ceramic grade FabDigit runs. C3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C3
Is C3 easy to machine?
Sintered parts can only be shaped by diamond wheel grinding, EDM/wire EDM or laser machining. In the green or pre-sintered state the blank can be rough-turned with carbide tooling before final sintering.
Can C3 be welded?
Not fusion weldable. Attach to steel bodies by silver-base brazing (for example BAg-24) at 700-900 °C with a controlled cooling rate to avoid braze cracks, or by vacuum diffusion bonding.
Can C3 be formed, bent or molded?
Powder metallurgy forming: die pressing, extrusion or injection moulding followed by vacuum or low-pressure liquid-phase sintering at about 1400-1450 °C, with roughly 18-22 % linear shrinkage that must be built into the die cavity.
C3 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Cobinder content sets hardness/toughness balance | 5 – 6.5 | 6 |
| TaC+NbCoptional grain-growth inhibitor / trace addition | 0 – 0.8 | 0.3 |
| Cr3C2+VCgrain-growth inhibitors common in fine-grain grades | 0 – 0.6 | 0.2 |
| WCtungsten carbide skeleton, grain size about 0.8–1.5 µm | balance |
What surface finishes work on C3?
Diamond grinding and polishing reach a mirror finish of Ra 0.02-0.05 µm. PVD (TiN, TiAlN) or CVD coatings are applied after cobalt-removal etching or micro-blasting; decorative electroplating is not suitable.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to C3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ISO
- K10
How much does C3 cost?
C3 is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C3 — frequently asked
What is C3 used for?
C3 is typically used for finish turning cast iron, non-ferrous finishing and precision tooling. In short: fine-grain finishing carbide; 800 °C service ceiling; harder than C2.
What is the tensile strength of C3?
C3 has a typical tensile strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) — stronger than 97% of ceramic grades.
Is C3 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (3/100, worse than 95% of ceramic grades). Sintered parts can only be shaped by diamond wheel grinding, EDM/wire EDM or laser machining. In the green or pre-sintered state the blank can be rough-turned with carbide tooling before final sintering.
Can C3 be welded?
Not fusion weldable. Attach to steel bodies by silver-base brazing (for example BAg-24) at 700-900 °C with a controlled cooling rate to avoid braze cracks, or by vacuum diffusion bonding.
What surface finishes work on C3?
Diamond grinding and polishing reach a mirror finish of Ra 0.02-0.05 µm. PVD (TiN, TiAlN) or CVD coatings are applied after cobalt-removal etching or micro-blasting; decorative electroplating is not suitable.
Can C3 be formed, bent or molded?
Powder metallurgy forming: die pressing, extrusion or injection moulding followed by vacuum or low-pressure liquid-phase sintering at about 1400-1450 °C, with roughly 18-22 % linear shrinkage that must be built into the die cavity.
What is the maximum service temperature of C3?
C3 is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does C3 cost?
C3 is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 & Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4 (Cemented Carbides) — ASM International (1991)
- Cemented carbide grade property tables — Sandvik Hard Materials / Ceratizit / Kennametal (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.