Table 2.

Characteristics of hard metal and cermet grades and their application [141].

Composition	Grain Size (µm)	(wt.%)	Application
WC-Co	Nano < 0.2	8–12	PCB drills, punches for ink jet printer heads, microtools
WC-Co	Ultrafine 0.2–0.5	2–4 6–9 10–16	Wood cutting tools, wear parts Microdrills for PCB, cutting inserts Rotating tools, paper knifes
WC-Co	Submicrometer 0.5–0.8	4–16	Cutting inserts, rotating tools
WC-Co	Fine 0.8–1.3	4–25	Cutting inserts, wear parts Noncutting shaping tools
WC-Co	Medium 1.3–2.5	4–25	Cutting inserts for heavy cutting Noncutting shaping tools
WC-Co	Coarse 2.5–6.0	4–25	Rock cutting tools
WC-Co	Extra coarse >6.0	4–25	Forming tools
WC-Co	0.5–2	4–20	Chemical apparatus engineering Corrosion resistant nanomagnetic parts
WC-Co	0.5–2	4–15	Cutting tools for steel chipping
Cermets	0.5–3	5–20	Cutting tools for steel chipping