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Tungsten Alloy WC-10Co vs WC-6Co

Tungsten Alloy · grade comparison

Tungsten Alloy WC-10Co and WC-6Co are both tungsten alloy grades. WC-6Co is harder — 78 HRC against 73 HRC for WC-10Co — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. WC-6Co is stiffer (630 GPa vs 580 GPa) and WC-10Co conducts heat better (95 W/m·K vs 80 W/m·K).

WC-6CoChoose it when surface hardness matters.

WC-10Co vs WC-6Co: properties

WC-10CoWC-6Co

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

580 GPa84.1 Msi
630 GPa91.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

235 GPa34.1 Msi
255 GPa37 Msi

Bulk Modulus

340 GPa49.3 Msi
380 GPa55.1 Msi

Compressive Strength

4,300 MPa624 ksi
5,800 MPa841 ksi

Shear Strength

1,350 MPa196 ksi
1,150 MPa167 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

1,200 MPa174 ksi
750 MPa109 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

15 MPa·√m13.7 ksi·√in
10 MPa·√m9.1 ksi·√in

Hardness, Rockwell C

73 HRC
78 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

1,580 HV
1,550 HV

Elongation at Break

—
0%

Reduction in Area

—
0%

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
2 J1.5 ft·lbf

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.22 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 1,300 MPa189 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

14.5 g/cm³0.52 lb/in³
14.9 g/cm³0.54 lb/in³

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,320°C2,408 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

95 W/m·K54.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
80 W/m·K46.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

5.5 µm/m·K3.1 µin/in·°F
5.2 µm/m·K2.9 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 500°C932 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8.5 % IACS
8.6 % IACS

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

40 / 100
50 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

8 / 100
10 / 100

Polishability

90 / 100
92 / 100

Castability

—
5 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 3 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 1% · Formability (cold) 1 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

350 MJ/kg150,473 BTU/lb
250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

25 kg CO₂/kg
18 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

90 kN·m/kg
87 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

40 MN·m/kg
42.3 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

28.5 mm²/s
24.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

39
32

Strength versus weight

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

5007001,0001,500141516171819Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleWC-6CoWC-10Co

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityWC-10CoWC-6Co
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$$ Specialty
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

WC-10Co vs WC-6Co — frequently asked

What is the difference between WC-10Co and WC-6Co?

Tungsten Alloy WC-10Co and WC-6Co are both tungsten alloy grades. WC-6Co is harder — 78 HRC against 73 HRC for WC-10Co — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. WC-6Co is stiffer (630 GPa vs 580 GPa) and WC-10Co conducts heat better (95 W/m·K vs 80 W/m·K).

Which is cheaper, WC-10Co or WC-6Co?

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

When should I choose WC-10Co over WC-6Co?

Pick WC-6Co when surface hardness matters.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in WC-10Co and WC-6Co 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.