YG3
AISI/SAE C4 · ISO K01
YG3 (C4) is a fine-grained straight WC–3% Co cemented carbide with no cubic carbide additions, from the Chinese YG (ISO K) grade family.
Reference datasheet — YG3 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the YG3 condition
YG3 tempers and conditions
YG3 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. YG3 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
YG3Default Standard fine-grain WC-3Co, vacuum/HIP sintered | General choice for finish turning/boring of cast iron, non-ferrous alloys and non-metals at moderate speed with light continuous cuts. | 1,580 HV | 88 W/m·K | |||
Extra-fine grain WC-3Co | Pick when maximum hardness and edge sharpness are needed — precision finishing of chilled cast iron, hardened steel, and wear parts/gauges with very light cuts. | 1,700 HV | 80 W/m·K |
What is YG3?
YG3 (C4) is a fine-grained straight WC–3% Co cemented carbide with no cubic carbide additions, from the Chinese YG (ISO K) grade family. Its high hardness, 650 GPa elastic modulus, 15.1 g/cm³ density and 88 W/m·K thermal conductivity suit precision finish turning of cast iron and non-ferrous metals; it is supplied as pressed blanks, rods, dies and inserts, plus the finer-grain YG3X condition. Toughness is low, so interrupted cuts and impact chip the edge, service temperature is limited to about 600 °C, and sintered parts can only be ground or EDM'd. YG6 is the tougher next step when edge security matters. YG3 has a density of 15.1 g/cm³ (0.546 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). YG3 has a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi), stronger than 88% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 650 GPa (94.3 Msi).
What is YG3 used for?
- precision finish turning of cast iron
- wire-drawing dies
- wear parts
- finishing non-ferrous alloys
Advantages
- Stiff — 650 GPa (94.3 Msi), better than 98% of ceramic grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 92/100, better than 89% of ceramic grades
- Conducts heat well — 88 W/m·K (50.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of ceramic grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 8.5 MPa·√m (7.74 ksi·√in), better than 79% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 15.1 g/cm³ (0.546 lb/in³), worse than 99% of ceramic grades
YG3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for YG3-YG3; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
YG3 has a density of 15.1 g/cm³ (0.546 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Mechanical13
YG3 has a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi), stronger than 88% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 650 GPa (94.3 Msi).
Thermal5
YG3 is rated for continuous service to 600°C (1,112 °F). It conducts heat at 88 W/m·K (50.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 4.4 µm/m·K (2.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
YG3 has an electrical resistivity of 2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 72% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of YG3 takes about 250 MJ of energy and emits 20 kg of CO₂ — more than 67% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability3
YG3's machinability is not recommended (3/100, worse than 95% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the ceramic family
Yield strength against density for every ceramic grade FabDigit runs. YG3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with YG3
Is YG3 easy to machine?
Not machinable by conventional cutting — shape by diamond wheel grinding, wire/sinker EDM or laser; green-state pressing and pre-sinter machining are the economical routes.
Can YG3 be welded?
Cannot be fusion welded; join by vacuum brazing with Ag-Cu-Ti or Cu-Mn fillers below ~900 °C, keeping heating/cooling slow to avoid thermal cracks.
Can YG3 be formed, bent or molded?
Produced by pressing or extruding WC+Co powder with binder, then de-waxing and liquid-phase vacuum or sinter-HIP consolidation at ~1380–1450 °C with ~18–20 % linear shrinkage.
YG3 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 phase | 2.7 – 3.3 | 3 |
| Ctotal carbon controlled to avoid eta phase / free graphite | — | |
| WCbalance tungsten carbide, straight WC-Co grade (no TiC/TaC additions) | balance |
What surface finishes work on YG3?
Diamond lapping and polishing give mirror finishes for gauges and dies; PVD TiN/TiAlN/DLC coatings are common for cutting inserts, no plating or anodizing needed.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to YG3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- AISI / SAE
- C4
- ISO
- K01
How much does YG3 cost?
YG3 is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
YG3 — frequently asked
What is YG3 used for?
YG3 is typically used for precision finish turning of cast iron, wire-drawing dies, wear parts and finishing non-ferrous alloys. In short: hardest straight WC-Co grade; lowest cobalt in family; finishing, not roughing.
What is the tensile strength of YG3?
YG3 has a typical tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 88% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is YG3 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (3/100, worse than 95% of ceramic grades). Not machinable by conventional cutting — shape by diamond wheel grinding, wire/sinker EDM or laser; green-state pressing and pre-sinter machining are the economical routes.
Can YG3 be welded?
Cannot be fusion welded; join by vacuum brazing with Ag-Cu-Ti or Cu-Mn fillers below ~900 °C, keeping heating/cooling slow to avoid thermal cracks.
What surface finishes work on YG3?
Diamond lapping and polishing give mirror finishes for gauges and dies; PVD TiN/TiAlN/DLC coatings are common for cutting inserts, no plating or anodizing needed.
Can YG3 be formed, bent or molded?
Produced by pressing or extruding WC+Co powder with binder, then de-waxing and liquid-phase vacuum or sinter-HIP consolidation at ~1380–1450 °C with ~18–20 % linear shrinkage.
What is the maximum service temperature of YG3?
YG3 is rated for continuous use to about 600°C (1,112 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does YG3 cost?
YG3 is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
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)
- ASTM B276 Standard Test Method for Apparent Porosity in Cemented Carbides — ASTM (2020)
- Cemented carbide grade property tables (WC-Co straight grades) — / Sandvik Hard Materials (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.