Tungsten Alloy WC-12Co · print state · default condition
Tungsten Alloy WC-12Co Sintered
Properties of the Sintered condition, compared with the other WC-12Co tempers.
Default stock condition for YG12/K40 blanks, rods and wear parts; balanced toughness and hardness.
What is WC-12Co Sintered?
WC-12Co Sintered is WC-12Co in the Sintered condition — default stock condition for YG12/K40 blanks, rods and wear parts; balanced toughness and hardness. WC-12Co Sintered 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). WC-12Co Sintered 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).
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 Sintered properties
Typical room-temperature values for WC-12Co Sintered — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every WC-12Co temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the tungsten alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical2
WC-12Co Sintered 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).
Mechanical12
WC-12Co Sintered 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 Sintered 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 Sintered 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 Sintered takes about 400 MJ of energy and emits 28 kg of CO₂ — more than 74% of tungsten alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
WC-12Co Sintered'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.
Other WC-12Co tempers and conditions
WC-12Co is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the WC-12Co overview.
- SinteredDefaultDefault stock condition for YG12/K40 blanks, rods and wear parts; balanced toughness and hardness.1,400 MPa tensile
Working with WC-12Co Sintered
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.
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.
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 | — |
WC-12Co Sintered — frequently asked
What is WC-12Co Sintered used for?
WC-12Co Sintered 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 Sintered?
WC-12Co Sintered has a typical tensile strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) — stronger than 83% of tungsten alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is WC-12Co Sintered 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 Sintered 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 Sintered?
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 Sintered 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 Sintered?
WC-12Co Sintered 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in WC-12Co Sintered?
Yes — WC-12Co Sintered is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.