YG15 C (Coarse grain)
Supply condition
Pick for maximum impact toughness and thermal-shock resistance in mining/rock tools and heavy forging dies.
Values for the C condition
Other YG15 tempers and conditions
YG15 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at YG15.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MGDefault Medium grain (2–4 µm WC), standard sinter-HIP | Default balance of toughness and hardness for cold-work dies, punches and general impact tooling. | — | 1,400 | 0.3 | 1,150 HV | 75 W/m·K |
CThis page Coarse grain | Pick for maximum impact toughness and thermal-shock resistance in mining/rock tools and heavy forging dies. | — | 1,450 | 0.3 | 1,020 HV | 82 W/m·K |
As fabricated | Pick when a sharper, more wear-resistant edge is needed while keeping the high-cobalt toughness, e.g. cold heading punches and precision blanking. | — | 1,700 | 0.3 | 1,300 HV | 68 W/m·K |
What is YG15 C?
YG15 C is YG15 supplied in the C condition — pick for maximum impact toughness and thermal-shock resistance in mining/rock tools and heavy forging dies. YG15 C has a tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi), stronger than 100% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.3% and the elastic modulus is 515 GPa (74.7 Msi). YG15 C has a density of 14 g/cm³ (0.506 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). MG is the default condition FabDigit quotes; C is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 18.5 MPa·√m (16.8 ksi·√in), better than 100% of ceramic grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 0.3%, better than 91% of ceramic grades
- Stiff — 515 GPa (74.7 Msi), better than 78% of ceramic grades
- Conducts heat well — 82 W/m·K (47.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of ceramic grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 90/100, better than 78% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 36/100, worse than 99% of ceramic grades
- Heavy — 14 g/cm³ (0.506 lb/in³), worse than 88% of ceramic grades
YG15 C properties
Typical room-temperature values for YG15 C; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are YG15 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
YG15 C has a density of 14 g/cm³ (0.506 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Mechanical13
YG15 C has a tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi), stronger than 100% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.3% and the elastic modulus is 515 GPa (74.7 Msi).
Thermal5
YG15 C is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 82 W/m·K (47.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 6 µm/m·K (3.33 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
YG15 C has an electrical resistivity of 1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is fair (36/100), worse than 99% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of YG15 C takes about 130 MJ of energy and emits 9.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability3
YG15 C's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with YG15 C
Is YG15 easy to machine?
Sintered YG15 can only be shaped by diamond grinding, wire/sinker EDM, laser or ultrasonic machining; green/pre-sintered blanks can be turned with carbide tooling before final sintering.
Can YG15 be welded?
Not fusion weldable; joined by silver/copper brazing (Ag-Cu-Zn or Cu-Mn-Ni filler, 700–900 °C) with a slow controlled cool to avoid thermal-shock cracking.
Can YG15 be formed, bent or molded?
Made by powder pressing, extrusion or injection moulding of WC-Co feedstock followed by liquid-phase sinter-HIP at ~1400–1450 °C with ~18–20 % linear shrinkage — no post-sinter forming is possible.
What surface finishes work on YG15?
Diamond lapping/polishing gives mirror finishes; PVD TiN/TiAlN or CVD coatings are common, and the high-Co surface is easily degraded by acidic pickling so chemical cleaning must be neutral.
YG15 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 | 14 – 16 | 15 |
| TaC+NbCoptional grain-growth inhibitor / grain refiner in some producer variants | 0 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| VC+Cr3C2inhibitors used only in fine-grain variants | 0 – 0.8 | 0.3 |
| WCtungsten carbide hard phase, ~85 % | balance | — |
YG15 C — frequently asked
What is YG15 C used for?
YG15 C is typically used for cold heading dies, punches, structural wear parts and large stamping tooling. In short: high-cobalt tough carbide; heavy impact tooling grade; tougher than YG10.
What is the tensile strength of YG15 C?
YG15 C has a typical tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) — stronger than 100% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is YG15 C easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 59% of ceramic grades). Sintered YG15 can only be shaped by diamond grinding, wire/sinker EDM, laser or ultrasonic machining; green/pre-sintered blanks can be turned with carbide tooling before final sintering.
Can YG15 C be welded?
Not fusion weldable; joined by silver/copper brazing (Ag-Cu-Zn or Cu-Mn-Ni filler, 700–900 °C) with a slow controlled cool to avoid thermal-shock cracking.
What surface finishes work on YG15 C?
Diamond lapping/polishing gives mirror finishes; PVD TiN/TiAlN or CVD coatings are common, and the high-Co surface is easily degraded by acidic pickling so chemical cleaning must be neutral.
Can YG15 C be formed, bent or molded?
Made by powder pressing, extrusion or injection moulding of WC-Co feedstock followed by liquid-phase sinter-HIP at ~1400–1450 °C with ~18–20 % linear shrinkage — no post-sinter forming is possible.
What is the maximum service temperature of YG15 C?
YG15 C is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °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)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Cemented Carbides) — ASM International (1990)
- Cemented carbide grade data (WC-Co K-class) — Sandvik Hard Materials / Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide (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.