WC-Co WC-20Co
Grade
WC-20Co = wC-20Co coarse grain
Maximum toughness / lowest hardness grade for heading dies, stamping tools and rolls subject to severe impact and high strain.
Values for the WC-20Co condition
Other WC-Co tempers and conditions
WC-Co is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at WC-Co.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WC-6CoDefault WC-6Co, fine grain | The general-purpose balance of hardness and toughness: turning/milling inserts, wear parts, nozzles, gauge blocks, cold-forming punches. | — | 1,500 | — | 1,600 HV | 90 W/m·K |
WC-10Co, medium grain | Tougher grade for interrupted cutting, rotary burrs, cold-heading dies and mining/drilling inserts where impact matters more than wear. | — | 1,600 | — | 1,400 HV | 80 W/m·K |
WC-20CoThis page WC-20Co coarse grain | Maximum toughness / lowest hardness grade for heading dies, stamping tools and rolls subject to severe impact and high strain. | — | — | — | 1,050 HV | 70 W/m·K |
WC-12Co (YG12 / K40 class) | High-toughness grade for heavy cold-forming dies, punching tools and hammer/roll applications with shock loading. | — | — | — | 1,300 HV | 78 W/m·K |
WC-Ni binder grade | Nickel replaces cobalt where acids, seawater or oilfield fluids would leach the binder — pump seals, valve trim, non-magnetic parts. | — | — | — | 1,300 HV | 75 W/m·K |
WC-3Co ultrafine grain | Maximum hardness and edge retention for micro-drills, PCB tooling and finishing inserts on non-ferrous and cast iron; low toughness, avoid interrupted cuts. | — | — | — | 1,950 HV | 80 W/m·K |
What is WC-Co WC-20Co?
WC-Co WC-20Co is WC-Co in the WC-20Co grade — maximum toughness / lowest hardness grade for heading dies, stamping tools and rolls subject to severe impact and high strain. WC-Co WC-20Co has a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi), stronger than 100% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 500 GPa (72.5 Msi). WC-Co WC-20Co has a density of 13.4 g/cm³ (0.484 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). WC-6Co is the default condition FabDigit quotes; WC-20Co is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), better than 100% of ceramic grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 97% of ceramic grades
- Stiff — 500 GPa (72.5 Msi), better than 77% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 38/100, worse than 99% of ceramic grades
- Heavy — 13.4 g/cm³ (0.484 lb/in³), worse than 87% of ceramic grades
- High embodied carbon — 28 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 84% of ceramic grades
- Limited service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), worse than 77% of ceramic grades
WC-Co WC-20Co properties
Typical room-temperature values for WC-Co WC-20Co; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are WC-Co reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
WC-Co WC-20Co has a density of 13.4 g/cm³ (0.484 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Mechanical13
WC-Co WC-20Co has a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi), stronger than 100% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 500 GPa (72.5 Msi).
Thermal5
WC-Co WC-20Co is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 70 W/m·K (40.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 70% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 6.4 µm/m·K (3.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
WC-Co WC-20Co has an electrical resistivity of 2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is fair (38/100), worse than 99% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WC-Co WC-20Co takes about 400 MJ of energy and emits 28 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability3
WC-Co WC-20Co's machinability is not recommended (6/100, better than 61% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with WC-Co WC-20Co
Is WC-Co easy to machine?
Green (pre-sintered) blanks can be turned/milled with carbide tools; fully sintered parts require diamond grinding, wire/sinker EDM, or laser — no conventional cutting.
Can WC-Co be welded?
Not fusion weldable; joined by vacuum/induction brazing with Ag-Cu-Ti or Cu-Mn fillers, or by shrink/press fitting into steel holders.
Can WC-Co be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape by powder press-and-sinter, extrusion of rod, or injection molding of fine grades; sinter-HIP at ~1400 °C with 12–20 % linear shrinkage that must be allowed for in tooling.
What surface finishes work on WC-Co?
Diamond lapping/polishing gives mirror finish; PVD (TiAlN, TiCN) or CVD coatings are standard on cutting grades; micro-blasting and edge honing tune edge strength.
WC-Co 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 phase; variant-dependent 3–20 % | 5.5 – 6.5 | 6 |
| Ccombined carbon in WC; free C or eta-phase must be avoided | 5.7 – 6.1 | 5.9 |
| Ta/Nb/Ti carbidesoptional grain-growth inhibitors / crater-wear additions (also VC, Cr3C2 0.2–1 %) | 0 – 2 | 0.5 |
| WCbalance, hard phase, typ. grain size 0.4–3 µm | balance | — |
WC-Co WC-20Co — frequently asked
What is WC-Co WC-20Co used for?
WC-Co WC-20Co is typically used for cutting tool inserts, mining/drilling bits, cold-forming dies, wear-resistant rollers and wire drawing dies. In short: standard tooling cermet; extreme compressive strength; diamond grinding or EDM only.
What is the tensile strength of WC-Co WC-20Co?
WC-Co WC-20Co has a typical tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 100% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is WC-Co WC-20Co easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (6/100, better than 61% of ceramic grades). Green (pre-sintered) blanks can be turned/milled with carbide tools; fully sintered parts require diamond grinding, wire/sinker EDM, or laser — no conventional cutting.
Can WC-Co WC-20Co be welded?
Not fusion weldable; joined by vacuum/induction brazing with Ag-Cu-Ti or Cu-Mn fillers, or by shrink/press fitting into steel holders.
What surface finishes work on WC-Co WC-20Co?
Diamond lapping/polishing gives mirror finish; PVD (TiAlN, TiCN) or CVD coatings are standard on cutting grades; micro-blasting and edge honing tune edge strength.
Can WC-Co WC-20Co be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape by powder press-and-sinter, extrusion of rod, or injection molding of fine grades; sinter-HIP at ~1400 °C with 12–20 % linear shrinkage that must be allowed for in tooling.
What is the maximum service temperature of WC-Co WC-20Co?
WC-Co WC-20Co is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ISO 513 — Classification of hard cutting materials — ISO (2012)
- ISO 3327 — Hardmetals: Determination of transverse rupture strength — ISO (2009)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 / Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4 — Cemented Carbides — ASM International (1991)
- Cemented carbide grade property tables — Sandvik Hard Materials / 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.