Tungsten Alloy WC-10Co-FG (Fine/submicron grain WC-10Co)
Grade
Pick for sharp cutting edges, micro-drills, PCB tooling and wear parts needing high hardness with acceptable toughness.
Values for the FG condition
Other WC-10Co tempers and conditions
WC-10Co is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at WC-10Co.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coarse grain WC-10Co | Pick for impact- and thermal-shock-dominated duty: rock drill buttons, mining tips, hot rolling rolls. | — | 1,200 | 0 | 70 HRC | 9.6 % IACS |
SinteredDefault vacuum/pressure sintered, as-sintered or ground | Standard stocked condition for YG10/K30 rods, plates, dies and tips; medium WC grain (2–4 µm). | — | 1,300 | — | 1,580 HV | 95 W/m·K |
Hot isostatic pressed | Choose when porosity-free structure is needed for maximum transverse rupture strength and fatigue life (large dies, punches, seal rings). | — | 1,500 | 0 | 74 HRC | 8.5 % IACS |
FGThis page Fine/submicron grain WC-10Co | Pick for sharp cutting edges, micro-drills, PCB tooling and wear parts needing high hardness with acceptable toughness. | — | 1,600 | 0 | 75 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
What is WC-10Co-FG?
WC-10Co-FG is WC-10Co in the FG grade — pick for sharp cutting edges, micro-drills, PCB tooling and wear parts needing high hardness with acceptable toughness. WC-10Co-FG has a tensile strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi), stronger than 90% of tungsten alloy grades. The elastic modulus is 570 GPa (82.7 Msi). WC-10Co-FG has a density of 14.5 g/cm³ (0.524 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). Sintered is the default condition FabDigit quotes; FG is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 105% of tungsten alloy grades
- Stiff — 570 GPa (82.7 Msi), better than 95% of tungsten alloy grades
- Lightweight — 14.5 g/cm³ (0.524 lb/in³), better than 90% of tungsten alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 100% of tungsten alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 80 W/m·K (46.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of tungsten alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 7.8 % IACS, worse than 90% of tungsten alloy grades
WC-10Co-FG properties
Typical room-temperature values for WC-10Co-FG; 18 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are WC-10Co reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among tungsten alloy grades.
Physical2
WC-10Co-FG has a density of 14.5 g/cm³ (0.524 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Mechanical11
WC-10Co-FG has a tensile strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi), stronger than 90% of tungsten alloy grades. The elastic modulus is 570 GPa (82.7 Msi).
Thermal5
WC-10Co-FG is rated for continuous service to 480°C (896 °F). It conducts heat at 80 W/m·K (46.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of tungsten alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 5.5 µm/m·K (3.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WC-10Co-FG conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 90% of tungsten alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 100% of tungsten alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WC-10Co-FG takes about 350 MJ of energy and emits 25 kg of CO₂ — less than 76% of tungsten alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
WC-10Co-FG's machinability is not recommended (2/100, worse than 100% of tungsten alloy grades); weldability not recommended (8/100); formability not recommended (1/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with WC-10Co-FG
Is WC-10Co easy to machine?
No conventional cutting — shape by diamond wheel grinding, diamond wire/EDM, laser or diamond lapping; avoid grinding burn and keep coolant flooding to prevent surface cracks.
Can WC-10Co be welded?
Not fusion weldable; join by Ag-Cu-Zn or Cu-Mn brazing (with Ni-plate or trimet shim to control thermal-stress cracking), or by adhesive/shrink fit.
Can WC-10Co be formed, bent or molded?
Net shape comes from pressing (uniaxial/CIP) plus extrusion of PM feedstock, then vacuum or sinter-HIP sintering with ~18–20 % linear shrinkage; no cold forming after sintering.
What surface finishes work on WC-10Co?
Diamond lap/polish to Ra < 0.05 µm; PVD (TiAlN/AlCrN) or CVD coating for tooling; no anodizing, and electroplating requires careful Co-binder activation.
WC-10Co 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 | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| TaC+NbCoptional grain-growth inhibitor / grain refiner in some producer grades | 0 – 0.8 | 0.2 |
| Cr3C2/VCgrain-growth inhibitors in fine-grain variants only | 0 – 0.6 | — |
| WCbalance; total carbon controlled to avoid eta phase or free graphite | balance | — |
WC-10Co-FG — frequently asked
What is WC-10Co-FG used for?
WC-10Co-FG is typically used for cutting tool inserts, cold stamping and blanking dies, wire drawing dies, rock drill bits, rolls and roll rings and heavy milling cutters. In short: tougher cemented carbide.
What is the tensile strength of WC-10Co-FG?
WC-10Co-FG has a typical tensile strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) — stronger than 90% of tungsten alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is WC-10Co-FG easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (2/100, worse than 100% of tungsten alloy grades). No conventional cutting — shape by diamond wheel grinding, diamond wire/EDM, laser or diamond lapping; avoid grinding burn and keep coolant flooding to prevent surface cracks.
Can WC-10Co-FG be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (8/100). Not fusion weldable; join by Ag-Cu-Zn or Cu-Mn brazing (with Ni-plate or trimet shim to control thermal-stress cracking), or by adhesive/shrink fit.
What surface finishes work on WC-10Co-FG?
Diamond lap/polish to Ra < 0.05 µm; PVD (TiAlN/AlCrN) or CVD coating for tooling; no anodizing, and electroplating requires careful Co-binder activation.
Can WC-10Co-FG be formed, bent or molded?
Net shape comes from pressing (uniaxial/CIP) plus extrusion of PM feedstock, then vacuum or sinter-HIP sintering with ~18–20 % linear shrinkage; no cold forming after sintering.
What is the maximum service temperature of WC-10Co-FG?
WC-10Co-FG is rated for continuous use to about 480°C (896 °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 (K group) — ISO (2012)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Cemented Carbides) — ASM International (1990)
- Hardmetal grade property tables (WC-Co, 6–15 % Co) — Sandvik Hard Materials / Ceratizit / Kennametal (2023)
- Cemented carbide property compilations — CES/MatWeb-type engineering databases (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.