Hardmetal is a powder metallurgy product made primarily from micrometer-sized powders of high-hardness refractory metals such as tungsten carbide (WC) and titanium carbide (TiC), bonded with cobalt or nickel, and molybdenum, sintered in a vacuum furnace or hydrogen reduction furnace. Hardmetal exhibits excellent properties such as good strength and toughness, heat resistance, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and high hardness. It maintains its properties at 500°C and retains high hardness up to 1000°C, making it suitable for cutting加工 of difficult-to-machine materials like 304 stainless steel tubes and heat-resistant steels.
 
Common hardmetal alloys are mainly divided into three categories: YG type (tungsten cobalt hardmetal), YT type (tungsten titanium cobalt), and YW type (tungsten titanium tantalum/nb). The compositions of these alloys differ significantly, and their applications vary greatly. The YG type hardmetal, due to its good toughness and thermal conductivity, allows for larger front angles, making it suitable for cutting stainless steel pipes.