Cemented carbide cutting tools, particularly indexable cemented carbide tools, are the predominant products in CNC machining tools. Since the 1980s, the variety of both solid and indexable cemented carbide tools or inserts has expanded across various cutting tool domains. Among these, indexable cemented carbide tools have evolved from simple turning tools and face milling cutters to include a wide range of precision, complex, and forming tools.
(1) Types of Cemented Carbide Tools
Based on their primary chemical composition, cemented carbides can be classified into two main categories: tungsten carbide-based cemented carbides and titanium carbonitride (TiC(N))-based cemented carbide.
Tungsten carbide-based cemented carbides include three types:
Tungsten-cobalt (YG)
Tungsten-cobalt-titanium (YT)
Those with added rare carbides (YW)
Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. The primary components are tungsten carbide (WC), titanium carbide (TiC), tantalum carbide (TaC), niobium carbide (NbC), and others, with cobalt (Co) being the most commonly used metal binder.
Titanium carbonitride-based cemented carbides are primarily composed of TiC, with some variants incorporating additional carbides or nitrides. The commonly used metal binders are molybdenum (Mo) and nickel (Ni).
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) classifies cemented carbides used for cutting into three categories:
K class (K10 to K40): Equivalent to China’s YG class (mainly WC-Co).
P class (P01 to P50): Equivalent to China’s YT class (mainly WC-TiC-Co).
M class (M10 to M40): Equivalent to China’s YW class (mainly WC-TiC-TaC(NbC)-Co).
Each grade is denoted by numbers ranging from 01 to 50, representing a spectrum of alloys from high hardness to maximum toughness.
(2) Performance Characteristics of Cemented Carbide Tools
① High Hardness
Cemented carbide tools are produced through powder metallurgy, combining carbides with high hardness and melting points (referred to as the hard phase) with metal binders (referred to as the bonding phase). Their hardness ranges from 89 to 93 HRA, far exceeding that of high-speed steel. At 540°C, their hardness remains between 82 and 87 HRA, comparable to the room-temperature hardness of high-speed steel (83–86 HRA). The hardness of cemented carbide varies depending on the type, quantity, and grain size of the carbides, as well as the content of the metal bonding phase. Generally, hardness decreases as the bonding metal phase content increases. For the same bonding phase content, YT alloys exhibit higher hardness than YG alloys, and alloys with added TaC or NbC offer superior high-temperature hardness.
② Bending Strength and Toughness
The bending strength of commonly used cemented carbides ranges from 900 to 1500 MPa. Higher metal bonding phase content results in greater bending strength. When the binder content is consistent, YG (WC-Co) alloys demonstrate higher strength than YT (WC-TiC-Co) alloys, with strength decreasing as TiC content increases. Cemented carbide is a brittle material, and its impact toughness at room temperature is only 1/30 to 1/8 that of high-speed steel.
(3) Applications of Common Cemented Carbide Tools
YG Alloys: Primarily used for machining cast iron, non-ferrous metals, and non-metallic materials. Fine-grained cemented carbides (e.g., YG3X, YG6X) offer higher hardness and wear resistance than medium-grained variants with the same cobalt content. These are suitable for processing special materials such as hard cast iron, austenitic stainless steel, heat-resistant alloys, titanium alloys, hard bronze, and wear-resistant insulating materials.
YT Alloys: Notable for their high hardness, excellent heat resistance, and superior hardness and compressive strength at high temperatures compared to YG alloys, along with good oxidation resistance. When tools require high heat and wear resistance, grades with higher TiC content are recommended. YT alloys are ideal for machining plastic materials like steel but are not suitable for titanium alloys or silicon-aluminum alloys.
YW Alloys: Combine the properties of YG and YT alloys, offering excellent overall performance. They are versatile and can be used for machining steel, cast iron, and non-ferrous metals. By appropriately increasing cobalt content, YW alloys can achieve high strength, making them suitable for rough machining and interrupted cutting of various difficult-to-machine materials.
Why Choose Chengduhuaxin Carbide?
Chengduhuaxin Carbide stands out in the market due to its commitment to quality and innovation. Their tungsten carbide carpet blades and tungsten carbide slotted blades are engineered for superior performance, providing users with tools that deliver clean, precise cuts while withstanding the rigors of heavy industrial use. With a focus on durability and efficiency, Chengduhuaxin Carbide’s slotted blades offer an ideal solution for industries requiring reliable cutting tools.
CHENGDU HUAXIN CEMENTED CARBIDE CO.,LTD are a professional supplier and manufacturer of tungsten carbide products, such as carbide insert knives for woodworking,carbide circular knives for tobacco&cigarette filter rods slitting,round knives for corugatted cardboard slitting ,three hole razor blades/slotted blades for packaging ,tape,thin film cutting,fiber cutter blades for textile industry etc.
With over 25 years development, our products have been exported to U. S. A, Russia, South America,India,Turkey,Pakistan,Australia,Southeast Asia etc. With excellent quality and competitive prices, Our hard working attitude and responsiveness are approved by our customers. And we would like to establish new business relationships with new customers.
Contact us today and you will enjoy benefits of good quality and services from our products!
Customer common questions and Huaxin answers
That depends on the quantity, generally 5-14days. As an industrial blades manufacturer, Huaxin Cement Carbide plans the production by orders and customers' requests.
Usually 3-6 weeks, if you request customized machine knives or industrial blades that are not in stock at the time of purchasing. Find Sollex Purchase & Delivery Conditions here.
if you request customized machine knives or industrial blades that are not in stock at the time of purchasing. Find Sollex Purchase & Delivery Conditions here.
Usually T/T, Western Union...deposits firstm, All first orders from new customers are prepaid. Further orders can be paid by invoice...contact us to know more
Yes, contact us, Industrial knives are available in a variety of forms, including top dished, bottom circular knives, serrated / toothed knives, circular perforating knives, straight knives, guillotine knives, pointed tip knives, rectangular razor blades, and trapezoidal blades.
To help you get the best blade, Huaxin Cement Carbide may give you several sample blades to test in production. For cutting and converting flexible materials like plastic film, foil, vinyl, paper, and others, we provide converting blades including slotted slitter blades and razor blades with three slots. Send us a query if you're interested in machine blades, and we'll provide you with an offer. Samples for custom-made knives are not available but you are most welcome to order the minimum order quantity.
There are many ways that will prolong the longevity and shelf life of your industrial knives and blades in stock. contact us to know about how proper packaging of machine knives, storage conditions, humidity and air temperature, and additional coatings will protect your knives and maintain their cutting performance.
Post time: Jul-29-2025
