Machining hard materials Archives - MicroMécanique outillage en carbure de tungstène https://www.micro-mecanique.com/en/machined-materials/machining-hard-materials/ Réalisation d'outillages en matériaux durs Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:51:24 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 Tungsten carbide https://www.micro-mecanique.com/en/machined-materials/tungsten-carbide/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:37:38 +0000 https://micro-mecanique-polylang.instawp.xyz/?p=4691 Tungsten carbide machining Over 80 years, MicroMécanique has forged unique expertise in tungsten carbide machining. This exceptionally hard material requires expert machining skills and specific state-of-the-art machinery. Our engaged, diligent staff produce micromechanical tools and parts with micron-level precision, capable of withstanding the most demanding industrial environments. Tungsten carbide (chemical symbol WC) is a compound […]

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Tungsten carbide machining

Over 80 years, MicroMécanique has forged unique expertise in tungsten carbide machining. This exceptionally hard material requires expert machining skills and specific state-of-the-art machinery. Our engaged, diligent staff produce micromechanical tools and parts with micron-level precision, capable of withstanding the most demanding industrial environments.

 

Tungsten carbide (chemical symbol WC) is a compound of carbon and tungsten. Tungsten has the highest melting point (3,422°C) of all metals, the lowest vapour pressure, and the greatest tensile strength at a temperature above 1,650°C. Derived from the old Swedish name for ‘heavy stone’, tungsten is mainly used in the engineering industry, mostly in compounds or alloys like tungsten carbide. Tungsten carbide parts are hard enough to withstand the many stresses of intensive production environments and must be machined with ceramic or diamond tools. Parts made from WC have a high compression strength and good wear and oxidation resistance at high temperatures. Our customers appreciate the quality of the tools we produce, as they last much longer than treated steel parts.

Properties of tungsten carbide

  • Extreme resistance to wear and abrasion.
  • Dimensional stability: very little thermal expansion.
  • High compression and tensile strength.
  • Optimal behaviour under harsh conditions (high temperature, corrosion).
  • Extends the lifespan of tools and components.

Tungsten carbide grades

Coarse grain grade, 6 to 12 µm

Grades

G1/K20G2/K30G3/K40G4/K50G5/K60G6/K70
% tungsten92-93,587-9083-858074-7872-75
% cobalt6-79-12152020-2525-26

Vickers HV-50

1500-16001300-14001150-1250950-1100850-1000800-850

Bending strength (N/mm²)

2100-25002400/29002500-33002800-32002800-34002700-3400
Compression strength (N/mm²)5500-60005000/52004000-42003600-39003300-35003100-3300

Grain grade, 1 to 4 µm

GradesK01K05K10K15K20K30
% tungsten92-9690-9491-9393,592-9488
% cobalt3-54-65-666-710

Vickers HV-50

1700-19001700-18001600-180017001300-15501350-1450

Bending strength (N/mm²)

1800-22001600-20001700-220018502000/21502200-2700
Compression strength (N/mm²)6600-68005800/63006000/620061005500/63005200-5500

Micrograin grade <1 µm

GradesK01K05K10K20K30
% tungsten96-9794-9794-9590-9388-92
% cobalt3-43-65-67-108-12

Vickers HV-50

1900-20001850-205018501650-18001500-1700

Bending strength (N/mm²)

2000-22002000-30002200-33003100-40002900-3700
Compression strength (N/mm²)6500-68006200-64006300-64006000-63005800-6000

Examples of products and applications

  • Forming dies
  • Extrusion dies
  • Connection cones
  • Clamping jaws
  • Punches and dies
  • Wear parts for all sectors (watchmaking, aeronautics, defence, nuclear power, automotive industry, etc.)
  • Micron-scale fixtures and assemblies for all sectors

Machining techniques used at MicroMécanique

  • Wire and spark EDM (up to Ø 0.10 mm)
  • ROEDERS 5-axis high-speed machining with robotics
  • Surface and cylindrical grinding
  • High-precision CNC turning and milling
  • Manual and mechanical polishing and tribofinishing for surface finishes Ra <0.01
  • Brazing, shrink fitting and bonding of multiple materials
  • Laser marking and engraving for traceability
Check out all of our activities

Would you like to work with tungsten carbide?
Discover its applications

  • Aeronautics and space: wear components, guiding systems, engine parts.
  • Automotive and industrial sectors: dies, wear plates, needles, pistons.
  • Nuclear power and energy: pump parts, shafts, bearings.
  • Defence: specific tools and components subject to heavy wear.
  • Medical industry: specialised tools and components.
  • Watchmaking and luxury goods: micron-scale fixtures, precision tooling.
  • Agrifood: guide systems, knives, durable wear parts.
See all the sectors we serve

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]]> Hardened steel https://www.micro-mecanique.com/en/machined-materials/hardened-steel/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:35:18 +0000 https://micro-mecanique-polylang.instawp.xyz/?p=4704 Machining of hardened steel Hardened steel refers to alloyed or non-alloyed steels that have undergone heat treatment (quenching + possibly tempering) to increase their hardness and mechanical strength while maintaining a certain toughness. At MicroMécanique, we use hardened steel as a base technical material to produce demanding parts: tools, mechanical components subjected to high stress, […]

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Machining of hardened steel

Hardened steel refers to alloyed or non-alloyed steels that have undergone heat treatment (quenching + possibly tempering) to increase their hardness and mechanical strength while maintaining a certain toughness. At MicroMécanique, we use hardened steel as a base technical material to produce demanding parts: tools, mechanical components subjected to high stress, guide systems, etc. We master not only the machining of hardened steel after treatment, but also other operations like finishing, grinding and polishing, with micron-level precision.

Examples of products and possible applications

Here are some examples of products MicroMécanique has the capability to develop or produce from hardened steel:

  • Transmission shafts, crankshafts and other shafts subjected to torsion and high mechanical stress.
  • Pinions, gears, machine teeth and gearbox parts
  • Drive parts, connecting rods, shafts and axles
  • Tooling: dies, moulds, impressions, tool plates and punches
  • Guide systems, rails, slides and precision components for special machines
  • Parts with tight tolerances for watchmaking, luxury goods or measuring instruments
  • Cylinder barrels, parts resistant to fatigue or mechanical wear.

Properties of hardened steel

Property

Description

Hardness

After quenching, hardened steel can reach a Rockwell hardness of around 50 to 65 HRC, depending on the grade and cross-section.

Tensile strength and yield strength

Very high, potentially exceeding 800 MPa depending on the alloy and treatment.

Toughness

Tempering reduces the brittleness caused by quenching and enables a suitable compromise between hardness and toughness.

Dimensional stability

Limited thermal expansion, stability at high temperatures, good resistance to temperature variations.

Wear resistance

Good resistance to abrasion and friction, especially with precise finishes or additional surface treatments (coating, nitriding, etc.).

Fatigue resistance

This is important, especially for parts subjected to load cycles: hardened steel alloys with good tempering and surface treatments can improve fatigue resistance.

Hardenability

This depends on the chemical composition (carbon content, alloy elements) and the cross-section of the part: the thicker the cross-section, the better the alloys must be designed to ensure consistent hardness throughout.

Machining techniques we use (or can use) at MicroMécanique

Below are the processes that MicroMécanique offers and can offer for hardened steel, by achieving the relevant technical feats:

  • 5-axis/multi-axis high-speed machining (HSM) for certain complex parts, particularly when conventional machines have limitations when it comes to complex designs. Our machines are also equipped with a grinding module.
  • Wire and spark EDM 
  • CNC milling/turning: direct machining of hardened steels, often replacing or reducing the need for grinding. Very useful for reducing cycle times.
  • Surface and cylindrical grinding: to achieve high-precision surfaces, very smooth finishes and tight tolerances.
  • Microdrilling and drilling in hardened steel: demanding in terms of tools (very hard inserts or tools, often coated, sometimes CBN) and cutting parameters (low speeds, generous lubrication).
Check out all of our activities

Would you like to work with hardened steel?
Discover its applications

Sectors in which hardened steel is particularly useful, and where MicroMécanique can add significant value:

  • Aeronautics and space: structural parts, shafts, gears, guide systems, where weight, strength, tolerances, lifespan and safety are critical.
  • Automotive: engine components, transmission, connecting rods, shafts, suspension parts, bodywork or chassis elements subject to mechanical fatigue.
  • Tools and moulds: injection moulds, dies, forming tools and cavities subjected to extreme wear and repeated stress.
  • Watchmaking and luxury goods: delicate mechanical components requiring extreme dimensional precision, stability and a very careful finish.
  • Special purpose machines and tooling for heavy industry: demanding gear parts, rotors, flywheels and rotary systems.
  • Defence industry: high-strength components, armoured parts, elements subjected to shocks, vibration and extreme use.
  • Equipment and components subjected to extreme fatigue and vibration: guide systems, bearings, thrust bearings, bushings, etc.
See all the sectors we serve

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]]> Ceramics https://www.micro-mecanique.com/en/machined-materials/ceramics/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:34:50 +0000 https://micro-mecanique-polylang.instawp.xyz/?p=4631 Ceramic machining MicroMécanique has advanced capabilities for machining technical ceramics: silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), alumina (aluminium oxide, Al₂O₃), zirconia (zirconium oxide, ZrO₂) and ceramics that can be machined by electrical discharge machining (EDM). These materials are chosen for their exceptional properties: low density, high hardness, resistance to high temperatures and corrosion. They are particularly suited to […]

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Ceramic machining

MicroMécanique has advanced capabilities for machining technical ceramics: silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), alumina (aluminium oxide, Al₂O₃), zirconia (zirconium oxide, ZrO₂) and ceramics that can be machined by electrical discharge machining (EDM). These materials are chosen for their exceptional properties: low density, high hardness, resistance to high temperatures and corrosion. They are particularly suited to precision applications in harsh environments, especially when metals or alloys reach their limits.

Examples of products and applications

Here is what MicroMécanique could or can already achieve with these ceramics:

 

  • Insulators or supporting elements for motors or turbines exposed to high temperatures.
  • Bearing parts, balls, rods, pins requiring hardness, wear resistance and inertia.
  • Components for the chemical or biochemical industry: nozzles, rings, membranes, parts in contact with corrosive environments or abrasive materials.
  • Optical or precision components: substrates, guides, components for measuring or optoelectronic instruments.
  • Inserts or plates in moulds and dies for heavy-duty use (wear/abrasion).
  • Components for power electronics, sensors and probes, where electrical insulation and thermal resistance are required.
  • Prototypes or small series for watchmaking, luxury goods and medical devices requiring a high-quality finish.

Properties of technical ceramics (Si₃N₄, Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂)

Property Description/Values
Density Relatively low compared to hard metals; typically ~3.9-4.1 g/cm³ for alumina, higher for zirconia depending on the formulation, around 3.2-3.4 g/cm³ for Si₃N₄.
Hardness Very high: Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ are particularly hard ceramics. Si₃N₄ is very hard but also tougher.
Heat and thermal shock resistance Si₃N₄ is distinguished by its extreme thermal shock resistance, which it retains even at high temperatures, as does ZrO₂, depending on its stabiliser (yttria, etc.).
Low coefficient of thermal expansion Particularly Si₃N₄, which results in good dimensional stability during heating and cooling.
Corrosion and wear resistance Ceramics are chemically inert in many environments and very resistant to abrasion.
High rigidity and tensile strength Good stiffness, high Young’s modulus, but low ductility (brittle if poorly designed or treated).
Electrical insulation Alumina, zirconia and Si₃N₄ are good electrical insulators in most configurations.

Machining techniques used at MicroMécanique

The following relevant machining processes are used for ceramics and adapted to MicroMécanique’s capabilities:

 

  • High-speed machining, CNC and conventional mechanical machining: turning, milling, drilling (with diamond tools, or extremely hardwearing tools), for pre-hardened and densified parts.
  • Grinding and abrasive machining: to obtain highly polished surfaces with tight tolerances. Use of diamond grinding wheels with very fine grits. 
  • Microdrilling and micromachining: for very small holes and intricate geometries.
  • Ultrasound: machining with abrasives and ultrasonic vibration for brittle ceramics, to avoid cracking and minimise mechanical stress.
  • Electrical discharge machining (EDM) for conductive or modified ceramics, or for materials for which EDM is possible. Enables complex shapes and intricate geometries without direct mechanical contact. XXX
  • Polishing, tribofinishing, very fine finishes, possibly post-machining treatments to improve strength or appearance.
Check out all of our activities

Would you like to work with ceramics?
Discover their applications

MicroMécanique has the capabilities to use technical ceramics to serve the following sectors in particular:

 

  • Aeronautics and space: components subjected to high temperatures, engine parts, insulators and lightweight, hardwearing parts.
  • Medical and biomedical industry: implants, surgical instruments and parts requiring biocompatibility, sterility and chemical resistance.
  • Electronics and optics: substrates, insulators, precision parts for optoelectronics or sensors.
  • Chemical and pharmaceutical industries: parts in direct contact with corrosive environments; pumps, nozzles and membranes.
  • Nuclear power: insulation, parts that must withstand extreme temperatures, radiation and corrosion.
  • Watchmaking and luxury goods: decorative pieces, items requiring a high-quality finish and dimensional stability.
  • Research & development: prototypes, small series to test new ceramic geometries, combined materials or innovative finishes.
See all the sectors we serve

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