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Tungsten Alloy WC-10Co HIPed

Print state

HIPed = hot isostatic pressed

Choose when porosity-free structure is needed for maximum transverse rupture strength and fatigue life (large dies, punches, seal rings).

Specialty cost $$$$$

Values for the HIPed 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Coarse grain WC-10Co
Pick for impact- and thermal-shock-dominated duty: rock drill buttons, mining tips, hot rolling rolls.1,200070 HRC9.6 % 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).1,3001,580 HV95 W/m·K
HIPedThis page
Hot isostatic pressed
Choose when porosity-free structure is needed for maximum transverse rupture strength and fatigue life (large dies, punches, seal rings).1,500074 HRC8.5 % IACS
Fine/submicron grain WC-10Co
Pick for sharp cutting edges, micro-drills, PCB tooling and wear parts needing high hardness with acceptable toughness.1,600075 HRC7.8 % IACS

What is WC-10Co HIPed?

WC-10Co HIPed is WC-10Co in the HIPed condition — choose when porosity-free structure is needed for maximum transverse rupture strength and fatigue life (large dies, punches, seal rings). WC-10Co HIPed has a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi), stronger than 90% of tungsten alloy grades. The elastic modulus is 585 GPa (84.8 Msi). WC-10Co HIPed has a density of 14.6 g/cm³ (0.527 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). Sintered is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HIPed is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 105% of tungsten alloy grades
  • Stiff — 585 GPa (84.8 Msi), better than 100% of tungsten alloy grades
  • Lightweight — 14.6 g/cm³ (0.527 lb/in³), better than 86% of tungsten alloy grades

Limitations

  • Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 100% of tungsten alloy grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 8.5 % IACS, worse than 90% of tungsten alloy grades

WC-10Co HIPed properties

Typical room-temperature values for WC-10Co HIPed; 20 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 HIPed has a density of 14.6 g/cm³ (0.527 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).

Density14.6 g/cm³0.53 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,320°C2,408 °F

Mechanical11

WC-10Co HIPed has a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi), stronger than 90% of tungsten alloy grades. The elastic modulus is 585 GPa (84.8 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus585 GPa84.8 Msi
Shear Modulus235 GPa34.1 Msi
Bulk Modulus340 GPa49.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.22
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,500 MPa218 ksi
Compressive Strength4,500 MPa653 ksi
Shear Strength1,400 MPa203 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)1,450 MPa210 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)15.5 MPa·√m14.1 ksi·√in
Hardness, Rockwell C74 HRC
Hardness, Vickers1,600 HV

Thermal5

WC-10Co HIPed is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 95 W/m·K (54.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 71% of tungsten alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 5.5 µm/m·K (3.06 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity95 W/m·K54.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity230 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)5.5 µm/m·K3.1 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)500°C932 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

WC-10Co HIPed conducts electricity at 8.5 % IACS, worse than 90% of tungsten alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity8.5 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 100% of tungsten alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.25 V
Corrosion ResistanceFair40/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryWC phase is very inert; the cobalt binder is the weak link — attacked by mineral acids (HCl, H2SO4, HNO3), organic acids and hot alkaline/ammoniacal solutions, causing binder leaching and surface crumbling. Good in neutral water, oils, most salt solutions; for corrosive duty use Ni- or Cr-alloyed binder grades.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of WC-10Co HIPed takes about 350 MJ of energy and emits 25 kg of CO₂ — less than 76% of tungsten alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)350 MJ/kg150,473 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)25 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

WC-10Co HIPed's machinability is not recommended (3/100, worse than 95% of tungsten alloy grades); weldability not recommended (8/100); formability not recommended (1/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended3/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)1%
WeldabilityNot recommended8/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended1/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good75/100
PolishabilityExcellent95/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — not anodizable; PVD (TiN, TiAlN, AlCrN) or CVD coatings are the standard surface treatments

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with WC-10Co HIPed

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Cobinder phase9 – 1110
TaC+NbCoptional grain-growth inhibitor / grain refiner in some producer grades0 – 0.80.2
Cr3C2/VCgrain-growth inhibitors in fine-grain variants only0 – 0.6
WCbalance; total carbon controlled to avoid eta phase or free graphitebalance

WC-10Co HIPed — frequently asked

What is WC-10Co HIPed used for?

WC-10Co HIPed 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 HIPed?

WC-10Co HIPed has a typical tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 90% of tungsten alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is WC-10Co HIPed easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (3/100, worse than 95% 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 HIPed 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 HIPed?

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 HIPed 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 HIPed?

WC-10Co HIPed is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °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 (K group) — ISO (2012)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Cemented Carbides) — ASM International (1990)
  3. Hardmetal grade property tables (WC-Co, 6–15 % Co) — Sandvik Hard Materials / Ceratizit / Kennametal (2023)
  4. 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.