Carbide Type Naming?

1. ISO Insert Naming System

Carbide inserts are identified by a code of letters and numbers

2. Carbide Grade Naming

Besides shape codes, carbide itself is classified by grades that describe the material’s hardness, toughness, and coating.

ISO P / M / K / N / S / H classification

P (Blue) → Steel machining

M (Yellow) → Stainless steel

K (Red) → Cast iron

N (Green) → Non-ferrous (aluminum, copper, etc.)

S (Orange) → High-temp alloys (Inconel, titanium, etc.)

H (Grey) → Hardened steel

Hard alloy blades (also called cemented carbide blades or inserts) are named using an international standardized code system. The naming convention is mainly based on ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards.

1. Insert Shape

Each insert begins with a letter that indicates its geometric shape.

C = Rhombic 80°

D = Rhombic 55°

V = Rhombic 35°

S = Square

T = Triangle

R = Round

W = Trigon

(Example: CNMG → C = 80° diamond shape)

2. Relief Angle (Clearance Angle)

Second letter = the clearance angle between the cutting edge and the workpiece.

N = 0° (Neutral)

C = 7°

P = 11°

A = 3°

B = 5°

D = 15°

(Example: CNMG → N = 0° relief)

3. Tolerance

Third letter = manufacturing tolerance/accuracy.

M = Medium tolerance

G = Precision tolerance

E, F = High precision

(Example: CNMG → M = medium tolerance)

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4. Insert Type (Features / Chipbreaker / Hole)

Fourth letter = special design features.

G = Double-sided insert with hole

T = Single-sided insert with hole

L = Without hole

(Example: CNMG → G = double-sided, with hole)

5. Size

Numbers after letters indicate size (length, cutting edge, inscribed circle, thickness, corner radius, etc.).

Example: CNMG120408

12 = Inscribed circle size (12 mm)

04 = Thickness (4 mm)

08 = Corner radius (0.8 mm)

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6. Grade / Coating

After the ISO code, manufacturers usually add carbide grade codes (like P30, K20, M15, etc.) or proprietary grades (e.g., GC4225, YG6X, ZP35).

These define the material composition and coating for different applications (steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, etc.).

✅ Example: CNMG120408-PM GC4225

C = 80° rhombic

N = 0° clearance

M = medium tolerance

G = double-sided with hole

120408 = size info

PM = chipbreaker type (finishing/medium cutting)

GC4225 = grade (Sandvik carbide grade, coated for steel turning)