YG3X
Grade
AISI/SAE C4 · ISO K01
YG3X = 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.
Values for the YG3X 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
YG3XThis page 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 YG3X?
YG3X is YG3 in the YG3X grade — 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. YG3X 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 655 GPa (95 Msi). YG3X 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 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; YG3X is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 655 GPa (95 Msi), better than 99% of ceramic grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 92/100, better than 89% of ceramic grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 7.8 MPa·√m (7.1 ksi·√in), better than 77% of ceramic grades
- Conducts heat well — 80 W/m·K (46.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 77% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 15.1 g/cm³ (0.546 lb/in³), worse than 99% of ceramic grades
YG3X properties
Typical room-temperature values for YG3X; 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
YG3X 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
YG3X 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 655 GPa (95 Msi).
Thermal5
YG3X is rated for continuous service to 600°C (1,112 °F). It conducts heat at 80 W/m·K (46.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 77% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 4.4 µm/m·K (2.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
YG3X 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 YG3X takes about 250 MJ of energy and emits 20 kg of CO₂ — more than 67% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability3
YG3X's machinability is not recommended (2/100, worse than 100% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with YG3X
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 | — |
YG3X — frequently asked
What is YG3X used for?
YG3X 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 YG3X?
YG3X 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 YG3X easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (2/100, worse than 100% 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 YG3X 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 YG3X?
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 YG3X 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 YG3X?
YG3X 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.