C6 TAC (TaC-enriched C6)
Grade
GB YT14 · ISO P30
Pick for milling and interrupted cuts on steel where comb cracking and edge chipping limit tool life.
Values for the TAC condition
Other C6 tempers and conditions
C6 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at C6.
- YT14
- TAC
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GB/T 18376.1 WC-14TiC-8Co steel-cutting grade | Chinese-market equivalent for semi-rough turning and milling of steel; higher TiC gives crater resistance but slightly lower toughness. | — | 750 | 0.1 | 1,420 HV | 26 W/m·K |
TACThis page TaC-enriched C6 | Pick for milling and interrupted cuts on steel where comb cracking and edge chipping limit tool life. | — | 850 | 0.1 | 1,480 HV | 32 W/m·K |
What is C6 TAC?
C6 TAC is C6 in the TAC grade — pick for milling and interrupted cuts on steel where comb cracking and edge chipping limit tool life. The elastic modulus is 550 GPa (79.8 Msi). C6 TAC has a density of 11.9 g/cm³ (0.43 lb/in³), heavier than 83% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 11.5 MPa·√m (10.5 ksi·√in), better than 92% of ceramic grades
- Stiff — 550 GPa (79.8 Msi), better than 88% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 30 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 91% of ceramic grades
- Heavy — 11.9 g/cm³ (0.43 lb/in³), worse than 83% of ceramic grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 77% of ceramic grades
C6 TAC properties
Typical room-temperature values for C6 TAC; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C6 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
C6 TAC has a density of 11.9 g/cm³ (0.43 lb/in³), heavier than 83% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Mechanical10
The elastic modulus is 550 GPa (79.8 Msi).
Thermal5
C6 TAC is rated for continuous service to 850°C (1,562 °F). It conducts heat at 32 W/m·K (18.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 62% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 6.5 µm/m·K (3.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
C6 TAC has an electrical resistivity of 4.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 77% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of C6 TAC takes about 300 MJ of energy and emits 30 kg of CO₂ — more than 74% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability3
C6 TAC's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C6 TAC
Is C6 easy to machine?
Green-state pressed or ground; sintered parts can only be diamond-ground, lapped, EDM'd or laser-cut — no conventional cutting.
Can C6 be welded?
Not fusion weldable; joined by silver/copper brazing at 700–900 °C with a ductile interlayer to limit thermal-expansion cracking.
Can C6 be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by uniaxial pressing, extrusion or injection moulding of WC-TiC-Co powder followed by vacuum or sinter-HIP densification at ~1400–1450 °C.
What surface finishes work on C6?
Diamond-wheel grinding then edge honing/blasting; PVD or CVD hard coatings applied for wear resistance; no plating or anodizing.
C6 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 | 6 – 10 | 8 |
| TiCcubic carbide for crater resistance; 14 % in YT14 | 6 – 15 | 10 |
| TaC+NbCoptional, grain control and thermal-shock resistance | 0 – 6 | 3 |
| WCbalance, grain size typically 1–3 µm | balance | — |
C6 TAC — frequently asked
What is C6 TAC used for?
C6 TAC is typically used for general steel turning inserts, steel milling inserts, semi-finishing turning tools, brazed tool tips for steel, boring bar tips and threading and grooving inserts. In short: all-round steel-cutting carbide; more wear-resistant than C5; taC-modified versions available.
Is C6 TAC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades). Green-state pressed or ground; sintered parts can only be diamond-ground, lapped, EDM'd or laser-cut — no conventional cutting.
Can C6 TAC be welded?
Not fusion weldable; joined by silver/copper brazing at 700–900 °C with a ductile interlayer to limit thermal-expansion cracking.
What surface finishes work on C6 TAC?
Diamond-wheel grinding then edge honing/blasting; PVD or CVD hard coatings applied for wear resistance; no plating or anodizing.
Can C6 TAC be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by uniaxial pressing, extrusion or injection moulding of WC-TiC-Co powder followed by vacuum or sinter-HIP densification at ~1400–1450 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of C6 TAC?
C6 TAC is rated for continuous use to about 850°C (1,562 °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 — ISO (2012)
- ISO 3327 — Hardmetals: Determination of transverse rupture strength — ISO (2009)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Cemented Carbides — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 16 — Machining (Cutting Tool Materials) — ASM International (1989)
- Cemented carbide grade datasheets (P-class steel grades) — Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide / Kennametal / Sandvik Coromant (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.