Carbide Insert Grade Cross-Reference
Map equivalent carbide insert grades across 8 leading brands — Sandvik, Mitsubishi, Kyocera, KORLOY, TaeguTec, Sumitomo, ZCC·CT, Iscar. Find a substitute grade, switch brands without re-tooling, and choose the best value-for-performance option for your steel, stainless, cast iron, and HRSA applications.
Quick Cross-Reference: Top 10 Most-Substituted Grades
These are the grades most often cross-referenced. Click through to the full table or use our Mitsubishi Grade Finder tool for an interactive search.
| Original Grade | Brand | Top Equivalents (5 brands) | Cost Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| VP15TF | Mitsubishi (PVD stainless) | AC630M (Sumitomo) / TT9080 (TaeguTec) / GC2025 (Sandvik) / PC9030 (KORLOY) / IC807 (Iscar) | 30-50% |
| US7020 | Mitsubishi (CVD steel) | GC4325 (Sandvik) / NC3225 (KORLOY) / YBC151 (ZCC·CT) / AC8025P (Sumitomo) / T9115 (Tungaloy) | 30-50% |
| GC4325 | Sandvik (CVD steel) | US7020 (Mitsubishi) / NC3225 (KORLOY) / YBC151 (ZCC·CT) / AC8025P (Sumitomo) / T9115 (Tungaloy) | 30-50% |
| NC3225 | KORLOY (CVD steel) | GC4325 (Sandvik) / US7020 (Mitsubishi) / YBC151 (ZCC·CT) / AC8025P (Sumitomo) | 20-40% |
| YBC151 | ZCC·CT (CVD steel) | GC4325 (Sandvik) / US7020 (Mitsubishi) / NC3225 (KORLOY) / AC8025P (Sumitomo) | 0% (baseline) |
| CA5525 | Kyocera (CVD steel) | US7020 (Mitsubishi) / GC4325 (Sandvik) / NC3225 (KORLOY) / YBC151 (ZCC·CT) | 30-45% |
| PR1225 | Kyocera (newer CVD) | US7020 (Mitsubishi) / GC4325 (Sandvik) / NC3225 (KORLOY) / YBC252 (ZCC·CT) | 25-40% |
| TT7015 | TaeguTec (CVD steel) | US7020 (Mitsubishi) / GC4325 (Sandvik) / NC3225 (KORLOY) / YBC151 (ZCC·CT) | 30-50% |
| TT9080 | TaeguTec (PVD HRSA) | VP15TF (Mitsubishi at low Vc) / GC1105 (Sandvik ceramic) / IC807 (Iscar) | 30-45% |
| MP8015 | Mitsubishi (CVD cast iron) | GC3210 (Sandvik) / YBD102 (ZCC·CT) / KF5800 (KORLOY) / TT8020 (TaeguTec) | 30-45% |
Steel P-Grade Cross-Reference (CVD Coatings)
For ISO P05-P45 carbon / alloy / tool steel. All grades below are CVD-coated TiCN+Al2O3 with similar wear/toughness profile.
| Brand | P05-P15 Finish | P15-P25 Medium | P25-P35 Rough | P35-P45 Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi | US7020 / FJ7010 | US7020 / US735 / MC6015 | US905 / MC6015 / UE6020 | US905 / UP20M |
| Sandvik | GC4305 / GC4315 | GC4325 / GC4325 | GC4335 / GC4345 | GC4355 / GC4365 |
| Kyocera | CA6515 / PR1225 | CA5525 / PR1225 / CA530D | CA5535 / PR1425 | PR1535 / CA5535 |
| KORLOY | NC3010 / NC3015 | NC3020 / NC3030 / NC3120 | NC3225 / NC5020 | NC5330 |
| TaeguTec | TT7015 / TT8115 | TT7015 / TT7080 / TT8125 | TT9080 / TT9225 | TT9300 / TT9080 |
| Sumitomo | AC610M / AC700G | AC8025P / AC6020M / AC6030M | AC8025P / AC830P | AC830P / AC840P |
| ZCC·CT | YBC151 / YBM151 | YBC251 / YBC151 | YBC251 / YBC351 | YBC351 / YBD102 (cast iron crossover) |
| Tungaloy | T9115 / T9125 | T9115 / T6120 / T6130 | T6130 / T6230 | T6230 / T9115 (heavy interrupted) |
Stainless M-Grade Cross-Reference (PVD Coatings)
For ISO M10-M30 stainless / austenitic / martensitic / duplex. All grades below are PVD-coated Al-Ti-N / TiAlN for sharp edge retention.
| Brand | M10-M15 Finish | M15-M25 Medium | M25-M30 Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi | VP15TF / US735 | VP15TF / MC6025 / US735 | US735 / MP8015 (cast iron crossover) |
| Sandvik | GC2025 / GC2225 | GC2025 / GC2035 | GC2045 / GC2135 |
| Kyocera | PR1535 / PR1625 | PR1535 / PR1625 / PV720 | PV720 / PR1635 |
| KORLOY | PC5300 / PC8105 | PC9030 / PC8110 | PC9030 / PC5300 (heavy feed) |
| TaeguTec | TT9080 / TT8020 | TT9080 / TT5080 | TT9080 / TT5080 (HRSA crossover) |
| Sumitomo | AC6020M / AC6030M | AC630M / ACK300 | AC630M / AC6040M (heavy interrupted) |
| ZCC·CT | YBM151 / YBG202 | YBM251 / YBG302 | YBM253 / YBG205 (HRSA crossover) |
| Iscar | IC807 / IC907 | IC807 / IC815 / IC908 | IC908 / IC815 (heavy interrupted) |
Cast Iron K-Grade Cross-Reference (CVD Coatings)
| Brand | K10-K20 General | K15-K25 Heavy / Interrupted |
|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi | US7020 / MC6015 | MP8015 / MC6025 |
| Sandvik | GC3210 / GC3225 | GC3210 / GC3040 |
| Kyocera | CA310 / CA315 | CA320 / CA325 |
| KORLOY | KF2500 / KF3000 | KF5800 / KF7015 |
| ZCC·CT | YBD102 / YBD151 | YBD252 / YBD102 (heavy milling) |
| TaeguTec | TT8020 / TT8080 | TT8020 / TT9225 (HRSA crossover) |
HRSA S-Grade Cross-Reference (Inconel, Waspaloy, Titanium)
| Brand | Primary Grade | Backup Grade | Ceramic Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| TaeguTec | TT9080 (HRSA specialist) | TT8020 (heavy feed) | — |
| Sandvik | GC1105 (ceramic whisker) | GC2025 (carbide) | CC6190 / CC6705 (SiAlON) |
| Mitsubishi | US7020 (carbide backup) | VP15TF (low Vc stainless style) | US7020 + low Vc 30-50 m/min |
| Iscar | IC907 / IC807 (carbide) | IC808 (carbide) | ISCAR ceramic for finishing |
| Kennametal | KC7315 / KCP25 (carbide) | KCK20 (heavy roughing) | KY1615 / KY4300 (ceramic) |
| KORLOY | PC5300 / PC9030 (carbide) | PC8110 (HRSA crossover) | — |
Cost-vs-Performance Tier Comparison
| Tier | Cost Index | Brands | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 (Premium OEM) | 1.0x baseline | Sandvik, Mitsubishi, Kyocera, Walter, Iscar (EU/US/JP) | Mission-critical work, OEM warranty required |
| Tier 2 (Asian Premium) | 0.7-0.8x | KORLOY, Sumitomo, Tungaloy, TaeguTec | Production shops prioritizing cost-quality balance |
| Tier 3 (Chinese Value) | 0.5-0.7x | ZCC·CT (and emerging Chinese brands) | Job shops, education, prototyping, cost-driven production |
| Tier 4 (House Brand) | 0.5x or less | BEYOND / OYYU (cnchome-beyond own brand) | Cost-driven work, sample runs, prototyping |
Migration Cheat Sheet: Switching Brands
If you're switching from one brand's grade to another, the migration is usually a 1:1 substitution at the same cutting parameters. Here are the most common migrations:
- Sandvik → Mitsubishi or KORLOY: GC4325 → US7020 or NC3225 (drop-in, same Vc/fz/ap)
- Mitsubishi → ZCC·CT: US7020 → YBC151 (drop-in, same parameters, save 30-50%)
- Kyocera → KORLOY: CA5525 → NC3225 (drop-in for steel P20-P35)
- TaeguTec → Mitsubishi: TT9080 → VP15TF at 50% lower Vc for Inconel
- Any brand → BEYOND house brand: Get a custom quote for on-demand equivalents
Frequently Asked Questions
What grade is equivalent to Sandvik GC4325?
Sandvik GC4325 is a CVD-coated steel P-grade. Equivalent grades include Mitsubishi US7020, KORLOY NC3225, ZCC·CT YBC151, Sumitomo AC8025P, and Tungaloy T9115. All are CVD-TiCN/Al2O3 grades for medium-to-rough steel turning at 150-250 m/min.
What grade is equivalent to Mitsubishi VP15TF?
Mitsubishi VP15TF is a PVD-coated universal stainless/aluminum grade. Equivalent grades include Sandvik GC2025 (less universal), Sumitomo AC630M, TaeguTec TT9080 (for HRSA), KORLOY PC9030, Iscar IC807. All are PVD Al-Ti-N grades for stainless steel M10-M30 at 80-180 m/min.
Can I substitute KORLOY NC3225 for Sandvik GC4325?
Yes. KORLOY NC3225 is a field-tested equivalent for steel P20-P40 turning. Same CVD coating family, similar wear/toughness balance, similar cutting parameters. Most machinists achieve identical tool life at 30-50% lower cost with NC3225 vs GC4325. Verify your specific operation with a 5-piece sample test.
Which grade is best for Inconel 718 HRSA?
For HRSA / Inconel 718 (ISO S05-S25), use tough PVD grades with high hot hardness. Top picks: TaeguTec TT9080 (PVD, high-toughness, Inconel specialist), Sandvik GC1105 (ceramic whisker-reinforced), Mitsubishi US7020 (universal backup at lower Vc). Run carbide at 30-50 m/min with HP coolant, or ceramic at 200-300 m/min dry.
What is the cheapest equivalent to Mitsubishi US7020?
KORLOY NC3030 (or NC3225 for broader range), ZCC·CT YBC151, and Sumitomo AC8025P all deliver US7020-equivalent performance at 30-50% lower OEM list price. All are CVD TiCN/Al2O3 grades for steel P05-P25. For the absolute lowest cost with no quality compromise, ZCC·CT YBC151 is the market leader in Chinese-produced equivalents.
How do I cross-reference Mitsubishi US7020 to Kyocera equivalent?
Mitsubishi US7020 (CVD steel P-grade) equivalent Kyocera grades: CA5525 (CVD, similar range), CA6525 (CVD, finishing-heavy), PR1225 (newer CVD generation). For stainless steel, US7020 swaps to Kyocera PR1535 (CVD) or PV720 (PVD). All work in steel at 150-250 m/min.
Talk to a Tooling Engineer
Need a cross-reference we haven't covered? Send us your current grade code + workpiece material + operation type, and our engineering team responds within one business day with a recommended substitute.