How to read this chart
- Find the ISO application group that matches the workpiece: K cast iron, N non-ferrous, S superalloys, H hardened steel.
- Locate the grade you run today in its brand column, then read across to the highlighted KOVES column for the closest match.
- Where a cell lists several grades, they cover different severities inside that group — continuous, light interrupted or heavy interrupted cutting. Send us the operation and we narrow it down.
| ISO | Grade | KOVES | Sumitomo | Mitsubishi | Tungaloy | Kyocera | Hitachi | Sandvik | Kennametal | Dijet | Seco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KCast iron | K01 | KBN7508 | BNC500 | MB710 | BX930 BX870 | KBN65B KBN60M | — | CB50 CB7050 | KD120 PB100 | JBN795 | — |
| K10 | KBN910 KBN900 KBN800 | BN700 BN7000 BN7500 | MB710 MB730 | BX470 BX480 BX950 | KBN65B KBN60M KBN900 | BH200 | CB7925 CB7525 | KB1645 KB9610 | JBN330 | CBN200, CBN300, CBN300P, CBN400C | |
| K20 | KBN910 KBN800 KBN680 | BN700 BN7000 BNS800 | MB730 MBS140 BC5030 | BXC90 BX90S | KBN900 | BH250 | — | — | — | CBN200, CBN300, CBN300P, CBN400C | |
| K30 | KBN680 | BNS800 | MBS140 BC5030 | BX90S BXC90 | — | — | — | KB9640 KB1340 | — | CBN500 | |
| NNon-ferrous | N01 | KPD10 KPD25 KCD10 | DA90 DA150 DA1000 DA2200 | — | — | KPD001 KPD010 | — | — | KD120 PB100 | — | — |
| SSuperalloys | S01 | KBN1000 | BN700 BN7000 | MB730 | BX950 | KBN65B | — | — | — | — | — |
| HHardened steel | H01 | KBN10N | BN1000 BNC100 | MBC010 MB810 | BXM10 BX310 | KBN05M KBN10M KBN510 | — | CB50 CB7050 | PB250 | — | CBN10 CBN100 CBN60K |
| H10 | KBN10N KBN20N KBN25N KBN700 KBCN10N | BNC160 BNC200 BN2000 | MBC020 BC8020 MB8025 | BXM10 BX330 BX530 | KBN05M KBN25M KBN525 | BH200 | CB7015 CB20 | KB1645 KD050 KD120 KB9610 | JBN300 | CBN10BN150, CBN100, CBN60K, CBN160C | |
| H20 | KBN20N KBN25N KBN700 KBN750 KBCN20N KBCN25N | BNC200 BNX20 | BC8020 MB8025 MB825 | BXM20 BX360 | KBN30M KBN35M KBN900 | BH250 | CB7025 CB7035 | KB5625 KB1615 | JBN245 | CBN150, CBN160C | |
| H30 | KBN35N KBCN35N KBN9020 KBN9530 | BNC300 BN350 BNX25 | MB835 BC8020 | BXM20 BXC50 BX380 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Grades inside one cell are separated by spaces. Where a KOVES cell is empty, we do not currently offer a PCBN grade for that group — PCD options are listed on the PCD product pages.
ISO application groups
| Group | Workpiece material | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|
| K | Cast iron | Grey / nodular / chilled cast iron, brake discs, mill rolls. |
| N | Non-ferrous | Aluminium and other non-ferrous alloys (PCD territory). |
| S | Superalloys | Heat-resistant and nickel-based superalloys. |
| H | Hardened steel | Hardened and case-hardened steel, 45-65 HRC. |
Current KOVES grade portfolio
Today we organise the programme by workpiece material rather than by legacy grade code. These grades are all in production:
Hardened steel (ISO H)
- KBN9530 / KBCN9530 — Heavy interrupted cutting of hardened steel. Fine CBN grain size and high CBN content deliver excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.
- KBN9020 / KBCN9020 — Strong interrupted cutting of hardened steel. A tighter bond between CBN and binder yields a more uniform structure; the special binder combines excellent wear resistance with toughness.
- KBN7030 / KBCN7030 — Medium interrupted cutting of hardened steel. Excellent chipping resistance and wear resistance.
- KBN35N / KBCN35N — Medium to heavy interrupted cutting of hardened steel. Suited to high cutting speeds for high efficiency and long tool life.
- KBN25N / KBCN25N — Continuous to heavy interrupted cutting of hardened steel. Suited to high cutting speeds with stable machining.
- KBN6020 / KBCN6020 — Light interrupted cutting of hardened steel. Excellent crater-wear resistance.
- KBN20N / KBCN20N — Continuous to medium interrupted cutting of hardened steel. Suited to high cutting speeds with excellent surface finish.
- KBN5010 / KBCN5010 — Continuous cutting of hardened steel. Excellent wear resistance.
- KBN10N / KBCN10N — Continuous to light interrupted cutting of hardened steel. Suited to high cutting speeds with stable results.
- KBN4050 / KBCN4050 — Fine finishing of hardened steel at high cutting speeds; especially suited to small-diameter work.
Cast iron (ISO K)
- KBN980 / KBCN980 — Especially suited to ductile iron and high-strength cast iron. Uncoated KBN980 and coated KBCN980 share the same substrate.
- KBN910 / KBCN910 — Gray cast iron.
- KBN800 / KBCN800 — Especially suited to ductile iron machining with excellent chipping resistance.
Before you switch a grade
A cross-reference is a starting point, not a guarantee of equal tool life. Grade behaviour also depends on workpiece hardness and microstructure, edge preparation, coating, machine rigidity and the interruption pattern of the cut. We confirm the shortlisted grade on your own workpiece before any production release.
Need help choosing a grade?
Send us your workpiece material, hardness and machine parameters. Our engineers will recommend the right grade and cutting data.