VT machining provides CNC Polishing Hard Alloys for customers who need accurate, repeatable Hard Alloys components. Because Hard Alloys is wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.
CNC Polishing Capability for Hard Alloys
- Mirror finish capable
- Ra to 0.05 µm
- Cosmetic & sealing faces
- Multi-stage abrasives
Hard Alloys Material Data
| Density | 14.5 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 2000–3500 (TRS) MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | — |
| Hardness | 88–93 HRA / 1300–1800 HV |
| Melting point | 2870 (WC) °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 70–100 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 5.0 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 10% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | grind / EDM only |
| Grades we run | YG6, YG8, YG15 (K10–K30), D2, H13, M2, SKD11 |
Published typical values for WC-Co (YG8 / K20). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Everything is done by grinding, wire EDM or sinker EDM. Design in a small corner radius wherever possible — a true sharp internal corner doubles the EDM time.
How CNC Polishing Hard Alloys Works
Abrasive media or tooling refine the Hard Alloys surface in controlled stages, removing the previous step's marks until the target roughness and edge condition are reached.
We start from your supplied geometry and tolerance scheme. The setup is designed to minimise re-clamping, which protects positional accuracy across features. A first article is verified against the drawing before the balance of the batch is released.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Polishing Hard Alloys
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Surface roughness | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.05 µm |
| Edge break | 0.1–0.3 mm | 0.05 ±0.02 mm |
| Material removed | 0.02 mm | 0.005 mm |
| Bore roundness after honing | 0.005 mm | 0.002 mm |
| Cross-hatch angle | 45° ±10° | 45° ±5° |
| Cosmetic grade | uniform satin | mirror, no visible lines |
| Masking of datum faces | on request | standard |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
CNC Polishing Quality & Inspection
Quality is built in, not inspected on. We monitor key features during the run and confirm them at final inspection, with CMM verification available for tight tolerances. We provide the inspection and traceability records your quality system requires.
Design Tips for CNC Polishing Hard Alloys
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Telling us the target Ra, the cosmetic faces and any masking needs lets us finish Hard Alloys efficiently without over-processing. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
CNC Polishing Tolerances & Surface Finish
Finishing brings Hard Alloys to a defined roughness target — from a uniform satin to Ra values as low as 0.05 µm — with controlled, repeatable edge breaks.
The tightest tolerances are reserved for the features your drawing flags as critical. Share your tolerance scheme and we will confirm what is realistic before quoting.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Hard Alloys parts need some finishing, which we manage in-house or through vetted partners. Options include deburring and edge-breaking, heat treatment, surface grinding, polishing, and plating or anodising for corrosion resistance and appearance. Give us the finished-part requirement and we will sequence every operation correctly.
Working with Hard Alloys
Hard Alloys is wear-resistant carbide and hardened tool materials. We translate those properties into a process plan: the right tooling, speeds, feeds and fixturing for the alloy.
Where the grade, temper or heat-treat condition matters to performance, we confirm it with you and can supply material certificates. Material is procured to recognised standards for consistent, repeatable results.
Applications of CNC Polishing Hard Alloys
Hard Alloys parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.
How to Order CNC Polishing Hard Alloys
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Hard Alloys grade and condition, the quantity and any finish or inspection requirements. We respond quickly with price, lead time and any DFM notes, in clear English.
Parts We Have Run in Hard Alloys
Three representative CNC Polishing Hard Alloys jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.
Deburred stamping
- Material
- Hard Alloys
- Size
- 40 × 25 × 1 mm
- Key callouts
- Edge break 0.05–0.15 mm, no sharp edges
- Batch
- 30,000 pcs
Vibratory finished in media sized to reach every internal cutout.
Cosmetic housing
- Material
- Hard Alloys
- Size
- 150 × 90 mm visible face
- Key callouts
- Uniform satin, no directional lines
- Batch
- 2,500 pcs
Grained in one direction with datum faces masked so they keep their tolerance.
Sealing face
- Material
- Hard Alloys
- Size
- Ø60 mm face
- Key callouts
- Ra 0.2 µm, flatness 0.005 mm
- Batch
- 1,000 pcs
Lapped after grinding; the seal spec is a roughness number, not a dimension.
Finishing Options for Hard Alloys
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote CNC Polishing Hard Alloys
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact Hard Alloys grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
Other Metals for CNC Polishing
Other Processes for Hard Alloys
Send the drawing, the Hard Alloys grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does CNC Polishing Hard Alloys require dedicated tooling?
Most Hard Alloys finishing work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Polishing Hard Alloys?
We machine Hard Alloys across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Polishing Hard Alloys?
CNC Polishing prototypes for Hard Alloys can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Polishing on Hard Alloys?
Our deburring leaves Hard Alloys with a consistent, controlled edge break and burr-free surfaces.