YG8 N (Normalized)
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE C1 · ISO K20
Pick when a sharp, wear-resistant edge is needed at 8 % Co toughness — micro-drills, PCB tooling, precision punches.
Values for the N condition
Other YG8 tempers and conditions
YG8 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at YG8.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MGDefault Medium grain (1.5–3 µm WC), standard YG8, sinter-HIP | Default balanced grade for general roughing, dies and wear parts (ISO K20–K30). | — | 1,200 | 0.1 | 1,350 HV | 75 W/m·K |
Coarse grain (3–6 µm WC), YG8C, maximum toughness | Pick for heavy impact and thermal shock: mining/rock bits, snowplough blades, hot rolls. | — | 1,300 | 0.15 | 1,180 HV | 85 W/m·K |
NThis page Normalized | Pick when a sharp, wear-resistant edge is needed at 8 % Co toughness — micro-drills, PCB tooling, precision punches. | — | 1,500 | 0.1 | 1,550 HV | 68 W/m·K |
What is YG8 N?
YG8 N is YG8 heat treated to N — pick when a sharp, wear-resistant edge is needed at 8 % Co toughness — micro-drills, PCB tooling, precision punches. YG8 N has a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi), stronger than 100% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.1% and the elastic modulus is 610 GPa (88.5 Msi). YG8 N has a density of 14.7 g/cm³ (0.531 lb/in³), heavier than 93% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). MG is the default condition FabDigit quotes; N is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 97% of ceramic grades
- Stiff — 610 GPa (88.5 Msi), better than 92% of ceramic grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 11 MPa·√m (10 ksi·√in), better than 91% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 14.7 g/cm³ (0.531 lb/in³), worse than 93% of ceramic grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 47/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades
YG8 N properties
Typical room-temperature values for YG8 N; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are YG8 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
YG8 N has a density of 14.7 g/cm³ (0.531 lb/in³), heavier than 93% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Mechanical13
YG8 N has a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi), stronger than 100% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.1% and the elastic modulus is 610 GPa (88.5 Msi).
Thermal5
YG8 N is rated for continuous service to 600°C (1,112 °F). It conducts heat at 68 W/m·K (39.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 70% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 4.8 µm/m·K (2.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
YG8 N has an electrical resistivity of 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is fair (47/100), worse than 85% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of YG8 N takes about 180 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — more than 60% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability3
YG8 N's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with YG8 N
Is YG8 easy to machine?
Only diamond grinding, wire/sinker EDM (it is electrically conductive) or laser; green-state pressed blanks can be soft-machined before sintering.
Can YG8 be welded?
Not fusion weldable — join by vacuum/induction brazing with Ag-Cu-Zn or Cu-Mn fillers, using a ductile shim to absorb the CTE mismatch with steel.
Can YG8 be formed, bent or molded?
Made by pressing or extruding WC+Co powder and liquid-phase sinter-HIP at ~1400–1450 °C; allow ~18–20 % linear shrinkage and never plastically form the sintered part.
What surface finishes work on YG8?
Diamond lapping/polishing gives mirror finishes; PVD TiN/TiAlN or CVD coatings, and micro-blasting for edge prep, are the usual surface treatments.
YG8 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 phase | 7.5 – 8.5 | 8 |
| TaC+NbCoptional grain-growth inhibitor in some producers' YG8 | 0 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Ctotal carbon, must stay in two-phase window (no eta phase, no free graphite) | 5.5 – 5.9 | 5.7 |
| WCbalance, tungsten carbide hard phase | balance | — |
YG8 N — frequently asked
What is YG8 N used for?
YG8 N is typically used for roughing cast iron, mining/rock tools, stamping dies and wear liners. In short: toughest straight WC-Co grade; roughing and impact duty; lower hardness than YG6.
What is the tensile strength of YG8 N?
YG8 N has a typical tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 100% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is YG8 N easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades). Only diamond grinding, wire/sinker EDM (it is electrically conductive) or laser; green-state pressed blanks can be soft-machined before sintering.
Can YG8 N be welded?
Not fusion weldable — join by vacuum/induction brazing with Ag-Cu-Zn or Cu-Mn fillers, using a ductile shim to absorb the CTE mismatch with steel.
What surface finishes work on YG8 N?
Diamond lapping/polishing gives mirror finishes; PVD TiN/TiAlN or CVD coatings, and micro-blasting for edge prep, are the usual surface treatments.
Can YG8 N be formed, bent or molded?
Made by pressing or extruding WC+Co powder and liquid-phase sinter-HIP at ~1400–1450 °C; allow ~18–20 % linear shrinkage and never plastically form the sintered part.
What is the maximum service temperature of YG8 N?
YG8 N 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)
- ISO 28079 Hardmetals — Palmqvist toughness test — ISO (2009)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4 — Ceramics and Glasses / Cemented Carbides — ASM International (1991)
- Cemented carbide grade data (WC-8Co K20/K30 class) — Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide / 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.