Sandvik, Kennametal, Iscar, Walter, Seco, Mitsubishi and Tungaloy carbide grades mapped side by side against the ISO P/M/K/N/S/H classes, so you can find the equivalent of a grade you already use.
Send the grade code from Sandvik, Kennametal, Iscar, Mitsubishi, Tungaloy or Seco — or just a photo of the insert box. We identify the ISO class and the substrate behind it, name the factory that makes the equivalent, and quote it factory-direct. The cross-reference costs you nothing.
Complete reference tables and engineering data for full grade chart. All values verified against ISO, ANSI, and manufacturer standards.
Carbide grades are classified by ISO application groups (P, M, K, N, S, H) based on the material they are designed to cut. Within each group, grades range from tough (lower numbers, e.g., P10) to hard/wear-resistant (higher numbers, e.g., P50). This guide helps navigate the grade designations across major manufacturers.
Use ISO classification as the common language. Start with the ISO code (e.g., P20-P30 for general steel turning). Each manufacturer has grades targeting that range. Sandvik GC4325, Kennametal KCP25B, and Iscar IC8250 are all P25-class general steel grades. They are functionally similar but not identical -- always test before changing suppliers.
Tough grades (higher cobalt binder, larger grain size) resist impact and thermal shock. Use for roughing, interrupted cuts, and unstable setups. Hard grades (lower cobalt, finer grain) resist wear and deformation. Use for finishing, high-speed continuous cuts, and abrasive materials. Start with the manufacturer's "first choice" grade for your material.
CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition): thicker coatings (5-12 um), deposited at high temperature. Best for steel turning where heat resistance matters. PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition): thinner (2-5 um), deposited at lower temperature, sharper edges. Best for milling, stainless, superalloys, and sharp cutting edges. CVD is generally tougher; PVD keeps a sharper edge.
Use this reference to navigate carbide grade designations. Start with the material's ISO group (P/M/K/N/S/H), then select a grade based on the operation (finishing vs roughing). When cross-referencing, compare the ISO classification ranges, not just the manufacturer's marketing name.
Continue with closely related resources from the machining reference library.
Use the calculator freely. If the result points to a tooling or process problem, we can source the exact carbide tooling you need from vetted factories in China. Compare factory-direct pricing.
Before you commit to a spec, it helps to know what the market pays for it. These are real, publicly listed factory prices — not a quotation, and not a guess.
We source the tool families below direct from vetted Chinese factories, matched to the material and tolerance you just worked out. Every batch ships with its material certificate and dimensional record.
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Every brand codes its grades differently. These pages decode each maker’s system, map it onto the ISO P/M/K/N/S/H classes, and tell you what actually differs when a Chinese plant quotes the equivalent.
TRANSLATED THE BRAND NUMBER? A cross-reference tells you what to ask for, not what you will receive. See the checks that confirm a grade claim before a tool ships.
We identify the ISO class, substrate and coating, name the Chinese factory that makes the equivalent, and return a quotation with lead time and inspection documents. The cross-reference itself is free.