YG3
Grade · default condition
AISI/SAE C4 · ISO K01
YG3 = 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.
Values for the YG3 condition
Other YG3 tempers and conditions
YG3 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at YG3.
- YG3
- YG3X
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
YG3DefaultThis page 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 is YG3 in the YG3 grade — general choice for finish turning/boring of cast iron, non-ferrous alloys and non-metals at moderate speed with light continuous cuts. 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). 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).
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; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are YG3 reference data and may not represent this condition. 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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
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.
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.
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 | — |
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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.