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TiC vs WC-Co

Ceramic · grade comparison

TiC and WC-Co are both ceramic grades. TiC is harder — 3,000 HV against 1,600 HV for WC-Co — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. TiC is lighter (4.93 g/cm³ vs 14.9 g/cm³ for WC-Co) and WC-Co is stiffer (630 GPa vs 445 GPa).

TiCChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.

TiC vs WC-Co: properties

TiCWC-Co

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

445 GPa64.5 Msi
630 GPa91.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

186 GPa27 Msi
250 GPa36.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

240 GPa34.8 Msi
385 GPa55.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.19
0.22

Compressive Strength

2,800 MPa406 ksi
5,800 MPa841 ksi

Flexural Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
2,100 MPa305 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3.2 MPa·√m2.9 ksi·√in
9.5 MPa·√m8.6 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

3,000 HV
1,600 HV

Hardness, Knoop

2,700 HK
1,800 HK

Hardness, Mohs

9.3
9

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

—
1,500 MPa218 ksi

Elongation at Break

—
0%

Shear Strength

—
1,200 MPa174 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

4.93 g/cm³0.18 lb/in³
14.9 g/cm³0.54 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

3,067°C5,553 °F
1,320°C2,408 °F

Porosity

0.7%
0.04%

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

21 W/m·K12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
90 W/m·K52 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

565 J/kg·K0.13 BTU/lb·°F
220 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

7.7 µm/m·K4.3 µin/in·°F
5.2 µm/m·K2.9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

800°C1,472 °F
550°C1,022 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

5.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m20.5 µΩ·in
2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in

Volume Resistivity

5.2×10⁻⁵ Ω·cm
2×10⁻⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Polishability

85 / 100
95 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

2,000°C3,632 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Same in both: Machinability 3 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb
400 MJ/kg171,969 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

14 kg CO₂/kg
28 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

5%
30%

Embodied Water

—
350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

90.3 MN·m/kg
42.3 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

7.5 mm²/s
27.5 mm²/s

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every ceramic grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

501002005001,000234567Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityTiCWC-Co
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

TiC vs WC-Co — frequently asked

What is the difference between TiC and WC-Co?

TiC and WC-Co are both ceramic grades. TiC is harder — 3,000 HV against 1,600 HV for WC-Co — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. TiC is lighter (4.93 g/cm³ vs 14.9 g/cm³ for WC-Co) and WC-Co is stiffer (630 GPa vs 445 GPa).

Which is cheaper, TiC or WC-Co?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

When should I choose TiC over WC-Co?

Pick TiC when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in TiC and WC-Co side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.