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OK8/BK8 HIP (Hot isostatic pressed)

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GOST OK8/BK8 (ОК8/БК8) · GB YG8 · ISO K20

Pick when the highest transverse rupture strength and fatigue life are needed — precision punches, thin-web inserts, high-pressure sealing parts.

High cost $$$$

Values for the HIP condition

Other OK8/BK8 tempers and conditions

OK8/BK8 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at OK8/BK8.

Compare all 4 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
MDefault
Thermomechanically controlled processed
Standard GOST/GB grade: best all-round balance of hardness and toughness for roughing tools, dies and wear parts.—1,20001,450 HV75 W/m·K
ВК8-В
Choose for impact-dominated duty — rock drill inserts, percussive bits, heavy blanking dies — where toughness matters more than hardness.—1,25001,330 HV80 W/m·K
ВК8-ВК
Maximum toughness and thermal-shock resistance for mining/geological drill teeth and heavily shocked wear parts; lowest hardness of the family.—1,30001,250 HV85 W/m·K
HIPThis page
Hot isostatic pressed
Pick when the highest transverse rupture strength and fatigue life are needed — precision punches, thin-web inserts, high-pressure sealing parts.—1,40001,500 HV78 W/m·K

What is OK8/BK8 HIP?

OK8/BK8 HIP is OK8/BK8 in the HIP condition — pick when the highest transverse rupture strength and fatigue life are needed — precision punches, thin-web inserts, high-pressure sealing parts. OK8/BK8 HIP has a tensile strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi), stronger than 99% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 610 GPa (88.5 Msi). OK8/BK8 HIP has a density of 14.7 g/cm³ (0.531 lb/in³), heavier than 93% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). M is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HIP is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Tough — resists crack growth — 15 MPa·√m (13.7 ksi·√in), better than 98% of ceramic grades
  • Stiff — 610 GPa (88.5 Msi), better than 92% of ceramic grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 92/100, better than 89% of ceramic grades
  • Conducts heat well — 78 W/m·K (45.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of ceramic grades

Limitations

  • Heavy — 14.7 g/cm³ (0.531 lb/in³), worse than 93% of ceramic grades
  • High embodied carbon — 30 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 91% of ceramic grades
  • Needs corrosion protection — 47/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades

OK8/BK8 HIP properties

Typical room-temperature values for OK8/BK8 HIP; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are OK8/BK8 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.

Physical3

OK8/BK8 HIP has a density of 14.7 g/cm³ (0.531 lb/in³), heavier than 93% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).

Density14.7 g/cm³0.53 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,320°C2,408 °F
Porosity0.01%

Mechanical13

OK8/BK8 HIP has a tensile strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi), stronger than 99% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 610 GPa (88.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus610 GPa88.5 Msi
Shear Modulus245 GPa35.5 Msi
Bulk Modulus370 GPa53.7 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.22
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,400 MPa203 ksi
Elongation at Break0%
Compressive Strength4,600 MPa667 ksi
Flexural Strength2,200 MPa319 ksi
Shear Strength1,250 MPa181 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)15 MPa·√m13.7 ksi·√in
Hardness, Vickers1,500 HV
Hardness, Knoop1,400 HK
Hardness, Mohs9

Thermal5

OK8/BK8 HIP is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 78 W/m·K (45.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 5.2 µm/m·K (2.89 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity78 W/m·K45.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity220 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)5.2 µm/m·K2.9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)800°C1,472 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical2

OK8/BK8 HIP has an electrical resistivity of 1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.48 µΩ·in
Volume Resistivity2×10⁻⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is fair (47/100), worse than 85% of ceramic grades.

Corrosion ResistanceFair47/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryWC skeleton is very inert; the 8% Co binder is the weak link — attacked by HCl, H2SO4, HNO3, HF and by acidic coolants/mine water, causing binder leaching and surface crumbling. Stable in neutral water, oils, alkalis and most organics; oxidizes in air above ~600 °C forming WO3/CoWO4 scale.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of OK8/BK8 HIP takes about 420 MJ of energy and emits 30 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)420 MJ/kg180,568 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)30 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability3

OK8/BK8 HIP's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades).

MachinabilityNot recommended4/100
PolishabilityExcellent92/100
Sintering / Firing Temperature1,420°C2,588 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with OK8/BK8 HIP

Is OK8/BK8 easy to machine?

Sintered blanks are shaped only by diamond grinding, wire/sinker EDM or laser; green (presintered) blanks can be turned/milled with carbide tooling before final sintering.

Can OK8/BK8 be welded?

Not fusion weldable — join by vacuum/induction brazing with Ag-Cu-Zn or Cu-Mn filler onto steel bodies, using a ductile Cu interlayer to absorb CTE mismatch.

Can OK8/BK8 be formed, bent or molded?

Made by powder metallurgy: pressing/CIP or extrusion of WC-Co spray-dried powder, then vacuum or sinter-HIP consolidation at ~1400–1450 °C with ~18–22 % linear shrinkage.

What surface finishes work on OK8/BK8?

Diamond lapping/polishing to Ra <0.05 µm; PVD TiN/TiAlN or CVD coatings applied for cutting tools; light sandblasting or Co-etching used as coating pretreatment.

OK8/BK8 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Cobinder phase7.5 – 8.58
C (free/total dev.)carbon balance controlled to avoid eta-phase or free graphite≤ 0.1—
Fe+Ni+other impuritiesresidual from milling media and raw powders≤ 0.50.2
WCtungsten carbide hard phase, medium grain≥ 91.5 (balance)—

OK8/BK8 HIP — frequently asked

What is OK8/BK8 HIP used for?

OK8/BK8 HIP is typically used for roughing cast iron, mining tools and wear parts. In short: tougher CIS WC-Co grade; roughing and impact duty; standard mining tool carbide.

What is the tensile strength of OK8/BK8 HIP?

OK8/BK8 HIP has a typical tensile strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) — stronger than 99% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is OK8/BK8 HIP easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades). Sintered blanks are shaped only by diamond grinding, wire/sinker EDM or laser; green (presintered) blanks can be turned/milled with carbide tooling before final sintering.

Can OK8/BK8 HIP be welded?

Not fusion weldable — join by vacuum/induction brazing with Ag-Cu-Zn or Cu-Mn filler onto steel bodies, using a ductile Cu interlayer to absorb CTE mismatch.

What surface finishes work on OK8/BK8 HIP?

Diamond lapping/polishing to Ra <0.05 µm; PVD TiN/TiAlN or CVD coatings applied for cutting tools; light sandblasting or Co-etching used as coating pretreatment.

Can OK8/BK8 HIP be formed, bent or molded?

Made by powder metallurgy: pressing/CIP or extrusion of WC-Co spray-dried powder, then vacuum or sinter-HIP consolidation at ~1400–1450 °C with ~18–22 % linear shrinkage.

What is the maximum service temperature of OK8/BK8 HIP?

OK8/BK8 HIP 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.

Sources

  1. ГОСТ 3882-74 — Сплавы твёрдые спечённые. Марки — Госстандарт / Rosstandart (1974)
  2. ISO 513 — Classification and application of hard cutting materials — ISO (2012)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Cemented Carbides — ASM International (1990)
  4. ISO 4505 — Hardmetals, metallographic determination of porosity and uncombined carbon — ISO (1978)
  5. WC-8%Co medium/coarse grain hardmetal grade data — Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide / Sandvik Hard Materials (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.