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When standard steel balls wear out too fast or corrode in aggressive environments, engineers and precision machinists turn to solid carbide balls. These YG6 solid carbide balls are engineered for applications where dimensional stability, surface hardness, and chemical resistance cannot be compromised — from CNC tooling fixtures and flow-control valves to custom bearing assemblies and gauging instruments.
Each ball is manufactured from YG6 tungsten carbide grade (6% cobalt binder), delivering a Vickers hardness of approximately HV 1500 and a density of roughly 14.9 g/cm³. The diameter range spans 1 mm (≈0.039 in) to 10 mm (≈0.394 in), with fractional inch sizes such as 3/32" (2.381 mm), 1/8" (3.175 mm), 3/16" (4.763 mm), 7/32" (5.556 mm), 1/4" (6.35 mm), and 3/8" (9.525 mm) also available as variant options.
Typical use cases include replacement rolling elements in miniature ball bearings and linear guides, check-ball seats in hydraulic and pneumatic valves, wear-resistant contact points in precision gauges and CMM fixtures, and grinding media in laboratory mills where contamination from iron must be avoided.
6% cobalt binder composition balances extreme hardness (~HV 1500) with sufficient toughness to resist chipping under cyclic load — a step up from lower-cobalt grades in impact-prone assemblies.
24 diameter options from 1 mm to 10 mm, including both metric and fractional inch sizes (e.g., 3/32", 1/8", 1/4", 3/8"), reduce the need for custom sourcing across multiple suppliers.
Tungsten carbide with cobalt binder resists most dilute acids, alkalis, and cutting fluids, making these balls suitable for wet or chemically active environments where stainless steel balls may still corrode.
At ~14.9 g/cm³, carbide balls provide reliable gravity-assisted seating in vertical check valves without requiring additional spring force — useful in low-flow or low-pressure hydraulic circuits.
Tungsten carbide maintains its geometry at elevated temperatures better than hardened steel, making these balls appropriate for tooling fixtures used in heat-assisted forming or sintering processes.
Available in quantities from 1 to 30 pieces per order depending on diameter, allowing you to stock exactly what your maintenance schedule or production run requires without over-ordering.
| Material Grade | YG6 Tungsten Carbide (WC-Co, 6% Co) |
|---|---|
| Hardness | Approx. HV 1500 (HRA 91.5) |
| Density | Approx. 14.9 g/cm³ |
| Diameter Range | 1 mm – 10 mm (0.039 in – 0.394 in) |
| Available Diameters | 1, 1.5, 2, 2.381, 2.5, 3, 3.175, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 4.763, 5, 5.556, 6, 6.35, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 8.731, 9, 9.525, 10 mm |
| Surface Finish | See variant options |
| Tolerance Grade | See variant options |
| Magnetic Properties | Non-magnetic |
| Quantity per Pack | 1 – 30 pcs (varies by diameter) |
| Application | Bearings, valves, gauging, grinding media, tooling fixtures |
Measure the bore or seat diameter of your housing with a calibrated micrometer or bore gauge. For bearing replacements, match the ball diameter to the original specification listed on the bearing datasheet. For valve seats, the ball diameter should be 5–15% larger than the seat orifice to ensure positive sealing. If you are between two sizes, select the larger diameter and verify fit before committing to a full order.
YG6 contains 6% cobalt binder and YG8 contains 8%. Higher cobalt content increases toughness and impact resistance but slightly reduces hardness. YG6 is preferred for applications requiring maximum wear resistance and surface hardness, such as precision gauging contacts and high-speed valve seats. YG8 is better suited where shock loading is a concern. These balls are YG6.
YG6 tungsten carbide resists most water-based and oil-based cutting fluids, as well as dilute acids and alkalis commonly found in machining environments. However, concentrated strong acids (e.g., hydrofluoric acid or concentrated sulfuric acid) can attack the cobalt binder over time. For highly aggressive chemical environments, confirm compatibility with your specific fluid before long-term deployment.
Yes, provided the diameter matches your bearing's ball complement specification. Carbide balls are harder and denser than steel, which can increase load capacity and wear life in abrasive conditions. However, the higher density adds slight rotational inertia, and carbide is more brittle than steel under sharp impact loads. Verify that your bearing cage material and retainer design are compatible with carbide balls before substituting.
Pack quantities range from 1 to 30 pieces and vary by diameter — smaller diameters (1–2 mm) are available in packs of 10, 20, and 30; mid-range diameters (3–6 mm) in packs of 1–8; and larger diameters (7–10 mm) in packs of 1–5. Select your preferred diameter first, then choose the quantity that matches your maintenance stock or production requirement. Bulk pricing is reflected in the per-unit cost at higher quantities.
Store carbide balls in a dry environment, separated from other hard metal components to prevent ball-to-ball contact during storage. Use soft-lined containers or individual compartments. When handling, avoid dropping balls onto hard surfaces — tungsten carbide is brittle and can chip if subjected to sharp impact. For precision applications, inspect balls under magnification before installation to confirm surface integrity.
Yes. The following fractional inch sizes are stocked as variant options: 3/32" = 2.381 mm, 1/8" = 3.175 mm, 3/16" = 4.763 mm, 7/32" = 5.556 mm, 1/4" = 6.35 mm, 11/32" = 8.731 mm, and 3/8" = 9.525 mm. Select the diameter that matches your application's inch-based specification directly from the variant selector.
