Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten Carbide K10
Fine-grain WC-Co cermet. The cast-iron and non-ferrous machining default.
Tungsten Carbide K10 is a cemented carbide (cermet) of WC particles bonded with cobalt (typically 6–8% Co). ISO grade letter K (cast iron / non-ferrous) with 10 indicating fine grain (high hardness, lower toughness). Hardness HV 1500–2400. Standard for cutting tool inserts and wear-part substrates.
Equivalent Designations
| Standard | Designation |
|---|---|
| ISO | K10 |
| Common alternates | K20, K30 (medium and coarse grain) |
Standards
ISO 513
Chemical Composition (% by mass)
| WC (Tungsten Carbide) | 92–94 |
| Co (Cobalt binder) | 6–8 |
Mechanical Properties
| Hardness | 1500–2400 HV |
| Density | 14.8–15.2 g/cm³ |
| Transverse Rupture Strength | 1800–2500 MPa |
Physical Properties
| Operating Temperature | Up to 800 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 80–120 W/m·K |
Available Forms & Sizes
| Form | Size Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Round Bar | Ø3 mm to Ø60 mm | — |
| Plate | 3 mm to 30 mm thick × 150×150 mm typical blank | — |
Use Cases
Cutting tool inserts
Lathe and milling inserts for cast iron, aluminium, brass, and other non-ferrous. K-grade designation indicates this primary use.
Wear plates
Punches, dies, gauges where extreme hardness needed.
Mining tools
Drill bits, rock-cutting teeth.
Precision gauges
Master gauges and reference standards (dimensional stability).
Design Notes
- Always ground or EDM-cut, never machined conventionally.
- K-grades for cast iron / non-ferrous; P-grades for steel; M-grades for stainless. Choose grain size by toughness vs hardness trade-off.