C5 P30
Grade
GB YT5 · ISO P40
P30 = leaner binder / higher TiC, semi-roughing steel grade
Pick when the cut is more continuous and crater/edge wear rather than chipping limits tool life.
Values for the P30 condition
Other C5 tempers and conditions
C5 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at C5.
- YT5
- P30
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
YT5Default YT5 / P40 | Pick for heavy, interrupted or scaly roughing cuts on carbon and alloy steel where toughness matters more than wear life. | — | — | — | 1,400 HV | 25 W/m·K |
P30This page Leaner binder / higher TiC, semi-roughing steel grade | Pick when the cut is more continuous and crater/edge wear rather than chipping limits tool life. | — | — | — | 1,520 HV | 21 W/m·K |
What is C5 P30?
C5 P30 is C5 in the P30 grade — pick when the cut is more continuous and crater/edge wear rather than chipping limits tool life. C5 P30 has a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi), stronger than 83% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 500 GPa (72.5 Msi). C5 P30 has a density of 12.2 g/cm³ (0.441 lb/in³), heavier than 83% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). YT5 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; P30 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 10 MPa·√m (9.1 ksi·√in), better than 87% of ceramic grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 90/100, better than 78% of ceramic grades
- Stiff — 500 GPa (72.5 Msi), better than 77% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 30 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 91% of ceramic grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 90% of ceramic grades
- Heavy — 12.2 g/cm³ (0.441 lb/in³), worse than 83% of ceramic grades
C5 P30 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C5 P30; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C5 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
C5 P30 has a density of 12.2 g/cm³ (0.441 lb/in³), heavier than 83% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Mechanical12
C5 P30 has a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi), stronger than 83% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 500 GPa (72.5 Msi).
Thermal5
C5 P30 is rated for continuous service to 950°C (1,742 °F). It conducts heat at 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 52% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 6.5 µm/m·K (3.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
C5 P30 has an electrical resistivity of 3.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 90% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C5 P30 takes about 400 MJ of energy and emits 30 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability3
C5 P30'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 C5 P30
Is C5 easy to machine?
Shape by diamond grinding, wire/sinker EDM or green-state pressing; no conventional cutting is possible.
Can C5 be welded?
Not fusion weldable — join by vacuum brazing with Ag–Cu (e.g. BAg-3) or Cu–Mn fillers, keeping temperature below ~900 °C to protect the binder.
Can C5 be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape by uniaxial/CIP pressing or extrusion of powder plus paraffin binder, dewax, then vacuum or sinter-HIP at ~1400–1500 °C with 15–25 % linear shrinkage.
What surface finishes work on C5?
Diamond lap/polish for mirror edges; PVD or CVD hard coatings are standard, and electroplating is rarely used because of poor adhesion to the carbide skeleton.
C5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cometallic binder; drives toughness | 8 – 11 | 9.5 |
| TiCcubic carbide for crater-wear resistance | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| TaC+NbCoptional, grain refinement / thermal shock | 0 – 2 | 0.5 |
| WCbalance, typically 83–87 % | balance | — |
C5 P30 — frequently asked
What is C5 P30 used for?
C5 P30 is typically used for steel roughing inserts, heavy interrupted-cut turning tools, face-milling inserts for steel, brazed tips for steel roughing, bar peeling tool tips and forging-scale skin turning inserts. In short: P-group steel roughing grade; tiC/TaC crater resistance; 900 °C service ceiling.
What is the tensile strength of C5 P30?
C5 P30 has a typical tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 83% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is C5 P30 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (2/100, worse than 100% of ceramic grades). Shape by diamond grinding, wire/sinker EDM or green-state pressing; no conventional cutting is possible.
Can C5 P30 be welded?
Not fusion weldable — join by vacuum brazing with Ag–Cu (e.g. BAg-3) or Cu–Mn fillers, keeping temperature below ~900 °C to protect the binder.
What surface finishes work on C5 P30?
Diamond lap/polish for mirror edges; PVD or CVD hard coatings are standard, and electroplating is rarely used because of poor adhesion to the carbide skeleton.
Can C5 P30 be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape by uniaxial/CIP pressing or extrusion of powder plus paraffin binder, dewax, then vacuum or sinter-HIP at ~1400–1500 °C with 15–25 % linear shrinkage.
What is the maximum service temperature of C5 P30?
C5 P30 is rated for continuous use to about 950°C (1,742 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ISO 513 — Classification and application of hard cutting materials (P/M/K groups) — ISO (2012)
- ASTM B276 — Apparent Porosity in Cemented Carbides — ASTM (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 / Vol.16 — cemented carbides and machining — ASM International (1990)
- Cemented carbide grade property tables — Sandvik Hard Materials / Kennametal (2022)
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.