C3 SUBMICRON
Grade
ISO K10
Choose the 0.4–0.8 µm ultrafine-grain version when hardness and edge sharpness govern (micro drills, small cutters, precision punches), accepting lower thermal conductivity.
Values for the SUBMICRON condition
What is C3 SUBMICRON?
C3 SUBMICRON is C3 in the SUBMICRON grade — choose the 0.4–0.8 µm ultrafine-grain version when hardness and edge sharpness govern (micro drills, small cutters, precision punches), accepting lower thermal conductivity. C3 SUBMICRON 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 620 GPa (89.9 Msi). C3 SUBMICRON 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).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 97% of ceramic grades
- Stiff — 620 GPa (89.9 Msi), better than 93% of ceramic grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 8.5 MPa·√m (7.74 ksi·√in), better than 79% 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 SUBMICRON properties
Typical room-temperature values for C3 SUBMICRON; 8 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
C3 SUBMICRON 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 SUBMICRON 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 620 GPa (89.9 Msi).
Thermal5
C3 SUBMICRON is rated for continuous service to 750°C (1,382 °F). It conducts heat at 70 W/m·K (40.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 70% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 5.2 µm/m·K (2.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
C3 SUBMICRON 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 SUBMICRON 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 SUBMICRON's machinability is not recommended (2/100, worse than 100% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C3 SUBMICRON
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.
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.
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 | — |
C3 SUBMICRON — frequently asked
What is C3 SUBMICRON used for?
C3 SUBMICRON 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 SUBMICRON?
C3 SUBMICRON has a typical tensile strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) — stronger than 97% of ceramic grades.
Is C3 SUBMICRON easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (2/100, worse than 100% 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 SUBMICRON 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 SUBMICRON?
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 SUBMICRON 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 SUBMICRON?
C3 SUBMICRON is rated for continuous use to about 750°C (1,382 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.