Tungsten Alloy WC-12Co
WC-12Co is a cemented carbide consisting of tungsten carbide grains bonded by ~12 wt% cobalt, a comparatively tough binder-rich grade (ISO K40 / GB YG12) chosen where impact and edge chipping — not maximum wear resistance — govern: mining/rock tools, stamping and cold-heading dies, wear parts and HVOF spray powder.
Reference datasheet — WC-12Co is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the Sintered condition
WC-12Co tempers and conditions
WC-12Co is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. Sintered is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3–6 µm WC for maximum impact toughness | Use for mining bits, rock drills, hammer inserts and heavy stamping where shock loading dominates. | 1,300 | 0 | 69 HRC | 9.5 % IACS | |
SinteredDefault vacuum/pressure sintered, medium grain (1–2 µm) | Default stock condition for YG12/K40 blanks, rods and wear parts; balanced toughness and hardness. | 1,400 | 0 | 72 HRC | 8.6 % IACS | |
single-cycle overpressure sintering (5–10 MPa Ar) | Standard modern production route: near-pore-free parts at lower cost than a separate HIP cycle. | 1,550 | 0 | 72 HRC | 8.6 % IACS | |
Hot isostatic pressed | Pick when maximum transverse rupture strength and fatigue life are needed (heavily loaded dies, punches, large blanks). | 1,600 | 0 | 73 HRC | 8.8 % IACS | |
submicron/ultrafine WC (0.5–0.8 µm) with grain-growth inhibitors | Choose for sharp cutting edges, PCB drills, punches and micro-tools where hardness and edge retention outrank toughness. | 1,700 | 0 | 76 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways WC-12Co is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Ground | Ground / lapped | Surface finish |
HVOF | HVOF sprayed coating | Coating |
What is WC-12Co?
WC-12Co is a cemented carbide consisting of tungsten carbide grains bonded by ~12 wt% cobalt, a comparatively tough binder-rich grade (ISO K40 / GB YG12) chosen where impact and edge chipping — not maximum wear resistance — govern: mining/rock tools, stamping and cold-heading dies, wear parts and HVOF spray powder. It offers very high stiffness (~550 GPa), compressive strength above 4 GPa and hardness around 1300 HV with fracture toughness near 13 MPa·√m. Limits are zero ductility, oxidation and binder softening above ~500 °C, attack of the Co binder by acids, high density (~14.2 g/cm³) and the fact that it can only be shaped by grinding, EDM or as-pressed near-net sintering. WC-12Co has a density of 14.2 g/cm³ (0.513 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). WC-12Co has a tensile strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi), stronger than 83% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 550 GPa (79.8 Msi).
What is WC-12Co used for?
- Mining and rock drill bits
- Cold-heading dies
- Stamping dies
- HVOF spray powder feedstock
- Percussion drill inserts
- Wear parts and bushings
- Roll rings
Advantages
- Lightweight — 14.2 g/cm³ (0.513 lb/in³), better than 95% of tungsten alloy grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 90/100, better than 93% of tungsten alloy grades
- Stiff — 550 GPa (79.8 Msi), better than 90% of tungsten alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0%, worse than 97% of tungsten alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 85 W/m·K (49.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of tungsten alloy grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 86% of tungsten alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 8.6 % IACS, worse than 83% of tungsten alloy grades
WC-12Co properties
Typical room-temperature values for WC-12Co-Sintered; bars are the position among tungsten alloy grades.
Physical2
WC-12Co has a density of 14.2 g/cm³ (0.513 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Mechanical14
WC-12Co has a tensile strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi), stronger than 83% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 550 GPa (79.8 Msi).
Thermal5
WC-12Co is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 85 W/m·K (49.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of tungsten alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 5.5 µm/m·K (3.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WC-12Co conducts electricity at 8.6 % IACS, worse than 83% of tungsten alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 86% of tungsten alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WC-12Co takes about 400 MJ of energy and emits 28 kg of CO₂ — more than 74% of tungsten alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
WC-12Co's machinability is not recommended (3/100, worse than 95% of tungsten alloy grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (0/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the tungsten alloy family
Yield strength against density for every tungsten alloy grade FabDigit runs. WC-12Co is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with WC-12Co
Is WC-12Co easy to machine?
Not machinable with conventional tools — shape by diamond wheel grinding, wire/sinker EDM, laser or by pressing to near-net shape before sintering.
Can WC-12Co be welded?
Do not fusion weld; join by vacuum/induction brazing with Ag-Cu-Zn or Cu-Mn-Ni filler using a ductile Cu interlayer, or by laser cladding of WC-Co onto steel.
Can WC-12Co be formed, bent or molded?
Formed only in the green state — uniaxial die pressing, CIP or extrusion of WC-Co powder plus binder, followed by dewaxing and vacuum/Sinter-HIP sintering with ~18–22 % linear shrinkage.
WC-12Co 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 | 11 – 13 | 12 |
| VC+Cr3C2grain-growth inhibitors, fine-grain variants only | 0 – 1 | 0.4 |
| TaC/NbCoptional trace additions | 0 – 0.5 | 0 |
| WCbalance ≈ 88 wt% tungsten carbide (total C ≈ 5.4 wt%) | balance |
What surface finishes work on WC-12Co?
Diamond grinding and lapping give mirror finishes; typical topcoats are PVD TiN/TiAlN/AlCrN or DLC; electroplating is uncommon and requires activation of the Co binder.
How much does WC-12Co cost?
WC-12Co is a specialty-cost tungsten alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
WC-12Co — frequently asked
What is WC-12Co used for?
WC-12Co is typically used for mining and rock drill bits, cold-heading dies, stamping dies, HVOF spray powder feedstock, percussion drill inserts and wear parts and bushings. In short: impact-grade cemented carbide.
What is the tensile strength of WC-12Co?
WC-12Co has a typical tensile strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) — stronger than 83% of tungsten alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is WC-12Co easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (3/100, worse than 95% of tungsten alloy grades). Not machinable with conventional tools — shape by diamond wheel grinding, wire/sinker EDM, laser or by pressing to near-net shape before sintering.
Can WC-12Co be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Do not fusion weld; join by vacuum/induction brazing with Ag-Cu-Zn or Cu-Mn-Ni filler using a ductile Cu interlayer, or by laser cladding of WC-Co onto steel.
What surface finishes work on WC-12Co?
Diamond grinding and lapping give mirror finishes; typical topcoats are PVD TiN/TiAlN/AlCrN or DLC; electroplating is uncommon and requires activation of the Co binder.
Can WC-12Co be formed, bent or molded?
Formed only in the green state — uniaxial die pressing, CIP or extrusion of WC-Co powder plus binder, followed by dewaxing and vacuum/Sinter-HIP sintering with ~18–22 % linear shrinkage.
What is the maximum service temperature of WC-12Co?
WC-12Co is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does WC-12Co cost?
WC-12Co is a specialty-cost tungsten alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ISO 513 Classification and application of hard cutting materials — ISO (2012)
- ASTM B294 Standard Test Method for Hardness Testing of Cemented Carbides — ASTM (2017)
- ASTM B771 Short Rod Fracture Toughness of Cemented Carbides — ASTM (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.7 Powder Metal Technologies and Applications — ASM International (1998)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- Cemented carbide grade property tables (K-class, 12 % Co) — Kennametal / Sandvik Hard Materials / (Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide) (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.