Cemented carbide is divided into tungsten-cobalt, tungsten-titanium, tungsten-titanium-tantalum-cobalt. Tungsten, cobalt, and titanium are brittle hard alloys.

1. Tungsten-cobalt carbide cutting tools include YG6, YG8, YG8N, etc. These types of carbide-cutting tools are suitable for processing non-ferrous metals, stainless steel, cast iron, and other materials;

2. Tungsten and titanium carbide cutting tools include YT5, YT15, etc. This type of carbide-cutting tool is suitable for processing tough materials such as steel;

3. Tungsten-titanium-tantalum-cobalt carbide cutting tools include: YW1, YW2, YS25, WS30, etc. This type of carbide-cutting tool is suitable for processing difficult-to-machine materials such as heat-resistant steel, high manganese steel, stainless steel, etc.

Performance characteristics of cemented carbide

1. High hardness (86~93HRA, equivalent to 69~81HRC);

2. Good thermal hardness (can reach 900~1000℃, maintain 60HRC);

3. Good wear resistance.

Carbide-cutting tools have a cutting speed of 4 to 7 times higher than high-speed steel and a tool life that is 5 to 80 times longer. For manufacturing molds and measuring tools, the service life is 20 to 150 times longer than that of alloy tool steel. It can cut hard materials with around 50HRC. However, cemented carbide is very brittle and cannot be processed. It is difficult to make a complex-shaped integral tool. Therefore, blades of different shapes are often made and installed on the tool body or mold body using welding, bonding, mechanical clamping, etc.

Classification of cemented carbide

1. Tungsten-cobalt carbide

The main components are tungsten carbide (WC) and binder cobalt (Co). Its brand name is composed of "YG" (the first Chinese pinyin of "hard, cobalt") and the percentage of average cobalt content. For example, YG8 means that the average WCo=8% and the rest is tungsten carbide tungsten cobalt carbide. Generally, tungsten-cobalt alloys are mainly used in carbide-cutting tools, molds, and geological and mineral products.

2. Tungsten titanium cobalt carbide

The main components are tungsten carbide, titanium carbide (TiC), and cobalt. Its brand consists of "YT" (the prefix of the Chinese pinyin of "hard and titanium") and the average content of titanium carbide. For example, YT15 means average TiC=15%, and the rest is tungsten titanium cobalt cemented carbide with tungsten carbide and cobalt content.

3. Tungsten titanium tantalum (niobium) carbide

The main components are tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, tantalum carbide (or niobium carbide), and cobalt. This type of cemented carbide is also called universal cemented carbide or universal cemented carbide. Its brand name consists of "YW" (the Chinese pinyin prefix of "hard" and "wan") plus a serial number, such as YW1.