Carbide Grade Guide: YG6 vs YG8 vs YG11C — Which One Should You Choose?

Grain size and cobalt content define the trade-off between hardness and toughness. YG6 (6% Co, fine grain) wins on hardness and wear resistance; YG8 (8% Co) adds impact toughness; YG11C sits in between and is the default for mining buttons and road picks. Use this chart before quoting.