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YG6X UF (Ultrafine / submicron grain)

Grade

ISO K05

Pick for micro-tools, PCB drills and razor-sharp finishing edges needing the highest hardness at 6% Co; least tolerant of impact.

High cost $$$$

Values for the UF condition

Other YG6X tempers and conditions

YG6X is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at YG6X.

Compare all 3 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Sinter-HIP consolidated
Choose when maximum transverse rupture strength and freedom from A/B-type porosity are needed, e.g. thin cutting edges, punches and micro-drill blanks.—1,50001,780 HV80 W/m·K
FGDefault
Fine grain (0.8–1.2 µm WC), vacuum sintered
Standard commercial YG6X: general finishing tooling and wear parts where edge sharpness matters more than impact toughness.———1,750 HV79 W/m·K
UFThis page
Ultrafine / submicron grain
Pick for micro-tools, PCB drills and razor-sharp finishing edges needing the highest hardness at 6% Co; least tolerant of impact.———1,950 HV70 W/m·K

What is YG6X UF?

YG6X UF is YG6X in the UF grade — pick for micro-tools, PCB drills and razor-sharp finishing edges needing the highest hardness at 6% Co; least tolerant of impact. The elastic modulus is 620 GPa (89.9 Msi). YG6X UF has a density of 14.9 g/cm³ (0.538 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of ceramic grades. FG is the default condition FabDigit quotes; UF is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Stiff — 620 GPa (89.9 Msi), better than 93% of ceramic grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 92/100, better than 89% of ceramic grades
  • Tough — resists crack growth — 8 MPa·√m (7.28 ksi·√in), better than 77% of ceramic grades

Limitations

  • Heavy — 14.9 g/cm³ (0.538 lb/in³), worse than 96% of ceramic grades
  • Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 77% of ceramic grades

YG6X UF properties

Typical room-temperature values for YG6X UF; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are YG6X reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.

Physical2

YG6X UF has a density of 14.9 g/cm³ (0.538 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of ceramic grades.

Density14.9 g/cm³0.54 lb/in³
Porosity0.05%

Mechanical9

The elastic modulus is 620 GPa (89.9 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus620 GPa89.9 Msi
Shear Modulus255 GPa37 Msi
Bulk Modulus380 GPa55.1 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.22
Compressive Strength6,400 MPa928 ksi
Flexural Strength2,800 MPa406 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)8 MPa·√m7.3 ksi·√in
Hardness, Vickers1,950 HV
Hardness, Mohs9

Thermal5

YG6X UF is rated for continuous service to 750°C (1,382 °F). It conducts heat at 70 W/m·K (40.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 70% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 4.7 µm/m·K (2.61 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity70 W/m·K40.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity220 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)4.7 µm/m·K2.6 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)750°C1,382 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical2

YG6X UF has an electrical resistivity of 2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in
Volume Resistivity2×10⁻⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 77% of ceramic grades.

Corrosion ResistanceGood55/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryWC skeleton is very inert, but the 6% cobalt binder is leached by mineral acids (HCl, H2SO4, HNO3), oxalic/acetic acid and hot caustic; good in water, oils, coolants and neutral salts. For acidic service use a Ni- or Cr3C2-modified binder grade.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of YG6X UF takes about 300 MJ of energy and emits 22 kg of CO₂ — more than 74% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)22 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability3

YG6X UF's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades).

MachinabilityNot recommended4/100
PolishabilityExcellent92/100
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 YG6X UF

Is YG6X easy to machine?

Green-state pressing/extrusion then diamond grinding, wire/sinker EDM or laser after sintering — no conventional cutting; keep grinding wheels cool to avoid edge micro-cracks.

Can YG6X be welded?

Not fusion weldable; join to steel by silver/Cu-based vacuum brazing (e.g. BAg-24, 700–900 °C) with a shim to absorb the CTE mismatch, or by braze-clad shrink fit.

Can YG6X be formed, bent or molded?

Net-shape by uniaxial die pressing, CIP or extrusion of PEG-bonded powder, dewaxed and vacuum/sinter-HIP fired at ~1400–1450 °C with ~18–20% linear shrinkage.

What surface finishes work on YG6X?

Diamond lapping/polishing to Ra<0.05 µm; PVD TiAlN/AlTiN or CVD TiCN-Al2O3 coating after Co-etch pretreatment; do not electroplate acidic baths that leach cobalt.

YG6X 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
Cobinder phase5.5 – 6.56
VCgrain-growth inhibitor0.1 – 0.50.3
TaCgrain refiner / thermal-shock aid; NbC may substitute0 – 0.60.3
Cr3C2optional inhibitor, some producers0 – 0.40.2
WCfine-grain tungsten carbide, 0.8–1.2 µmbalance—

YG6X UF — frequently asked

What is YG6X UF used for?

YG6X UF is typically used for finish machining cast iron, reamers, small-diameter drills and precision cutting edges. In short: fine-grain finishing grade; sharper, more wear-resistant than YG6; higher rated temperature.

Is YG6X UF easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades). Green-state pressing/extrusion then diamond grinding, wire/sinker EDM or laser after sintering — no conventional cutting; keep grinding wheels cool to avoid edge micro-cracks.

Can YG6X UF be welded?

Not fusion weldable; join to steel by silver/Cu-based vacuum brazing (e.g. BAg-24, 700–900 °C) with a shim to absorb the CTE mismatch, or by braze-clad shrink fit.

What surface finishes work on YG6X UF?

Diamond lapping/polishing to Ra<0.05 µm; PVD TiAlN/AlTiN or CVD TiCN-Al2O3 coating after Co-etch pretreatment; do not electroplate acidic baths that leach cobalt.

Can YG6X UF be formed, bent or molded?

Net-shape by uniaxial die pressing, CIP or extrusion of PEG-bonded powder, dewaxed and vacuum/sinter-HIP fired at ~1400–1450 °C with ~18–20% linear shrinkage.

What is the maximum service temperature of YG6X UF?

YG6X UF is rated for continuous use to about 750°C (1,382 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. ISO 513 Classification and application of hard cutting materials — ISO (2012)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 / Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4 — Cemented Carbides — ASM International (1991)
  3. Cemented carbide grade tables (WC-6Co fine grain) — Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide / Xiamen Golden Egret / 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.