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YG10 X (YG10X)

Hardness band

Pick when both high hardness and edge strength are needed — micro drills, end mills, PCB tooling, precision punches.

High cost $$$$

Values for the X condition

Other YG10 tempers and conditions

YG10 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at YG10.

Compare all 3 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
YG10C
Choose for maximum impact and thermal-shock tolerance: rock-drill buttons, mining tips, heavy stamping and rolls.—1,20001,150 HV100 W/m·K
MGDefault
Medium grain (1–2 µm WC), standard YG10 sinter-HIP
General-purpose balance of hardness and toughness for dies, punches, wear parts and cast-iron machining.—1,30001,350 HV85 W/m·K
XThis page
YG10X
Pick when both high hardness and edge strength are needed — micro drills, end mills, PCB tooling, precision punches.—1,55001,620 HV75 W/m·K

What is YG10 X?

YG10 X is YG10 heat treated to X — pick when both high hardness and edge strength are needed — micro drills, end mills, PCB tooling, precision punches. YG10 X has a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi), stronger than 101% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 580 GPa (84.1 Msi). YG10 X has a density of 14.5 g/cm³ (0.524 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). MG is the default condition FabDigit quotes; X is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Polishes to a fine finish — 93/100, better than 95% of ceramic grades
  • Stiff — 580 GPa (84.1 Msi), better than 89% of ceramic grades
  • Tough — resists crack growth — 10.5 MPa·√m (9.56 ksi·√in), better than 89% of ceramic grades

Limitations

  • Needs corrosion protection — 42/100, worse than 94% of ceramic grades
  • Heavy — 14.5 g/cm³ (0.524 lb/in³), worse than 91% of ceramic grades
  • High embodied carbon — 28 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 84% of ceramic grades

YG10 X properties

Typical room-temperature values for YG10 X; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are YG10 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.

Physical3

YG10 X has a density of 14.5 g/cm³ (0.524 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).

Density14.5 g/cm³0.52 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,320°C2,408 °F
Porosity0.04%

Mechanical13

YG10 X has a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi), stronger than 101% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 580 GPa (84.1 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus580 GPa84.1 Msi
Shear Modulus234 GPa33.9 Msi
Bulk Modulus340 GPa49.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.22
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,550 MPa225 ksi
Elongation at Break0%
Compressive Strength5,200 MPa754 ksi
Flexural Strength2,500 MPa363 ksi
Shear Strength1,500 MPa218 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)10.5 MPa·√m9.6 ksi·√in
Hardness, Vickers1,620 HV
Hardness, Knoop1,300 HK
Hardness, Mohs9

Thermal5

YG10 X is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °F). It conducts heat at 75 W/m·K (43.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 73% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 5.5 µm/m·K (3.06 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity75 W/m·K43.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity220 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)5.5 µm/m·K3.1 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)550°C1,022 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical1

YG10 X has an electrical resistivity of 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 94% of ceramic grades.

Corrosion ResistanceFair42/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryWC skeleton is very stable, but the cobalt binder is attacked by mineral and organic acids, chlorinated coolants and oxidising media; alkaline and neutral service is fine. Use Ni-binder or corrosion grades for wet acidic duty.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of YG10 X takes about 400 MJ of energy and emits 28 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)400 MJ/kg171,969 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)28 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability3

YG10 X's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades).

MachinabilityNot recommended4/100
PolishabilityExcellent93/100
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 YG10 X

Is YG10 easy to machine?

Only diamond grinding, lapping, wire/sinker EDM and laser; conventional cutting is impossible — near-net-shape press and sinter wherever possible.

Can YG10 be welded?

Not fusion weldable; join by vacuum/induction brazing with Ag-Cu-Ni filler below 900 °C or by shrink/press fit into steel bodies.

Can YG10 be formed, bent or molded?

Shaped by uniaxial pressing, CIP, extrusion or injection moulding of WC-Co powder, then vacuum sinter-HIP at ~1420 °C with ~18–22 % linear shrinkage.

What surface finishes work on YG10?

Diamond lapping to mirror finish; PVD TiN/TiAlN or CVD coatings common; can be micro-blasted or electropolished-free — no plating needed for wear duty.

YG10 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
Cometallic binder phase9 – 1110
Ccombined carbon in WC; free C and eta phase not permitted5.4 – 5.75.55
TaC+NbCoptional grain-growth inhibitor in some producer variants0 – 0.50.2
WCbalance tungsten carbidebalance—

YG10 X — frequently asked

What is YG10 X used for?

YG10 X is typically used for cold forming dies, wear-resistant nozzles, rock drilling and structural wear parts. In short: tougher than YG8; general heavy-wear WC-Co; high binder, high toughness.

What is the tensile strength of YG10 X?

YG10 X has a typical tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) — stronger than 101% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.

Is YG10 X easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades). Only diamond grinding, lapping, wire/sinker EDM and laser; conventional cutting is impossible — near-net-shape press and sinter wherever possible.

Can YG10 X be welded?

Not fusion weldable; join by vacuum/induction brazing with Ag-Cu-Ni filler below 900 °C or by shrink/press fit into steel bodies.

What surface finishes work on YG10 X?

Diamond lapping to mirror finish; PVD TiN/TiAlN or CVD coatings common; can be micro-blasted or electropolished-free — no plating needed for wear duty.

Can YG10 X be formed, bent or molded?

Shaped by uniaxial pressing, CIP, extrusion or injection moulding of WC-Co powder, then vacuum sinter-HIP at ~1420 °C with ~18–22 % linear shrinkage.

What is the maximum service temperature of YG10 X?

YG10 X is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. GB/T 3849 / ISO 3878 Hardmetals — Vickers and Rockwell (A) hardness test — ISO (2019)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Cemented Carbides — ASM International (1990)
  3. Cemented carbide grade properties (WC-10Co, fine/medium/coarse) — 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.