Comparison of Cemented Carbide Grades in Different Countries

Cemented carbide, celebrated for its exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and structural strength, serves as a cornerstone in industries ranging from precision machining to heavy-duty mining. As global manufacturing hubs, China, Japan, Russia, the U.S., and Germany have developed distinct carbide grades tailored to their technological strengths. This article benchmarks these grades against ISO standards, offering insights for material selection and sourcing decisions.

ISO Standard: The Global Classification Framework

The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) system categorizes cemented carbides into three application-based series:

• P Series (ISO P01-P50): For ferrous metals with long chips (e.g., carbon steel, alloy steel)
• M Series (ISO M10-M40): For stainless steel, superalloys, and ductile iron
• K Series (ISO K01-K40): For non-ferrous metals, non-metals, and cast iron with short chips

Each grade within these series balances tungsten carbide (WC) content, cobalt (Co) binder, and alloying elements to optimize wear resistance, toughness, or heat resistance.

Comparative Analysis by Country

China: Cost-Effective Versatility with Technical Depth

Chinese carbide grades combine affordability with ISO-compliant performance, supported by vertical integration from tungsten ore to finished tools.

P Category (Steel Machining)

M Category (Universal Alloys)

K Category (Cast Iron & Non-Ferrous Metals Machining)

• P01 Equivalent: YT30
  • High WC (93%) and low Co (6%) composition
  • Suitable for high-speed steel machining (e.g., automotive shafts) at >1,500 rpm
  • Chip control design reduces burr formation by 40% compared to standard grades
• M10 Equivalent: YW1
  • TaC/NbC alloying for 30% higher thermal conductivity
  • Used in stainless steel machining (e.g., medical implants) with ≤0.05mm tolerance
• K10 Equivalent: YG6
  • 9% Co content for excellent impact resistance in cast iron machining
  • Commonly used in aluminum die-casting tools with >20,000 cycle life

Japan: Precision Engineering and Microstructure Innovation

• P01 Equivalent: Mitsubishi AC805
  • Submicron WC grains (0.5μm) with TiAlN coating
  • Used for aerospace titanium machining (800m/min), surface roughness Ra ≤0.4μm
• M10 Equivalent: Sumitomo AC815
  • CVD coating + ZrN top layer, reducing adhesive wear by 60%
  • Suitable for superalloy machining (e.g., turbine blades) at >500°C
• K10 Equivalent: Toshiba T9015
  • Ultra-fine grain WC with 3,200MPa bending strength
  • Used for silicon wafer dicing with ≤10μm chipping tolerance

Russia: Robust Grades for Heavy-Duty Applications

• P01 Equivalent: BK3M (GOST Standard)
  • Dense WC-Co matrix (97% WC) with 3,800MPa compressive strength
  • Used for heavy-duty steel milling (e.g., construction equipment) at 500m/min
• M20 Equivalent: VK8
  • VC/TaC alloying for high-temperature stability (resistant to 800°C)
  • Used in stainless steel welding tools for oil pipelines, 500-hour service life
• K20 Equivalent: BK6
  • 8% Co content for excellent crack resistance in cast iron machining
  • Suitable for mining drill bits in >10,000m deepwell operations

USA: High-Performance Grades for Aerospace & Defense

• P10 Equivalent: Kennametal K68
  • Nano-binder technology, extending tool life by 25% in aerospace aluminum machining
  • Supports high-speed turning (2,000rpm) with ±3μm dimensional accuracy
• M20 Equivalent: Valenite V30M
  • AlCrN coating (90GPa hardness), suitable for medical device machining
  • Used in stainless steel orthopedic implants with Ra ≤0.8μm finish
• K10 Equivalent: Walter USA WK10
  • Micro-grain WC for excellent edge stability in non-ferrous metal machining
  • Used in electronic copper etching tools with 0.1mm feature resolution

Germany: Premium Quality and Process Consistency

• P20 Equivalent: Widia WSM25
  • Optimized Co gradient (6-10%) balancing hardness and toughness
  • Used in automotive gear cutting with 99.9% process yield
• M20 Equivalent: ThyssenKrupp U20M
  • TiCN-Al2O3-TiN multi-layer coating, reducing friction by 40%
  • Used in EV motor housing machining at 1,200m/min
• K20 Equivalent: Güdel GH20
  • Cryogenically treated WC, improving impact resistance by 20%
  • Used in cast iron engine block machining with >5,000 tool change cycles

Conclusion: Matching Grades to Application Needs

• Cost-sensitive mass production: China’s YT30/YG6 offers 30-50% lower cost than EU brands while meeting ISO standards.
• Precision aerospace components: Japan’s AC805 and U.S. K68 enable nano-level accuracy and heat resistance.
• Heavy-industry durability: Russia’s BK3M and Germany’s GH20 excel in high-stress, long-life applications.

By aligning ISO grades with regional technological strengths, manufacturers can optimize tool life, production efficiency, and cost control. Contact Kedel for customized cemented carbide solutions.