Materials at K-O
Find your material family and grade. Then define the diameter, condition, and surface requirements that prepare your bar for its next operation.
Precision grinding
Compare ten material families and explore the grades in K-O’s grinding reference. We work with customer-supplied or K-O-sourced bar.
View grinding specifications10 material families
Strength & machinability
A versatile choice for machined parts where grade, hardness, and cost need to work together.
What to specifyCarbon content, incoming hardness, and any heat treatment required after grinding.
Strength & toughness
Alloying elements provide options for demanding mechanical properties and heat-treated applications.
What to specifyExact alloy, heat-treated condition, and hardness before and after processing.
Corrosion resistance
A family of grades for corrosion resistance, with different balances of machinability, strength, and surface appearance.
What to specifyGrade, condition, service environment, and required surface finish.
Hardness & wear
Selected for applications that call for wear resistance and hardness, with properties determined by grade and heat treatment.
What to specifyTool-steel grade, hardness, and the sequence of grinding and heat treatment.
Low weight
A lightweight material family with a range of strength and machining characteristics across alloys and tempers.
What to specifyAlloy and temper, finished diameter, and handling requirements for the surface.
Conductivity & wear
Copper alloys offer choices for electrical or thermal conductivity, machinability, and bearing or wear applications.
What to specifyExact alloy, intended function, and the required condition.
Strength-to-weight ratio
Titanium grades offer useful combinations of low weight, strength, and corrosion resistance.
What to specifyExact titanium grade, condition, and any application-specific certification requirements.
Heat & corrosion
Specialty alloys provide options for heat, corrosion, or wear resistance in demanding operating conditions.
What to specifyExact alloy designation, hardness, and the service environment.
Transparency & insulation
Glass offers options for optical and insulating functions, depending on its composition and application.
What to specifyGlass type, finished dimensions, edge condition, and protective handling.
Send your specified glass type for review.
Low weight & insulation
Engineering plastics offer alternatives where weight, insulation, or friction characteristics influence the design.
What to specifyPolymer grade, fillers, operating conditions, and dimensional requirements.
Try a different grade or family, or send your specification to K-O.
Properties vary by grade and condition. This grade list is a grinding reference; availability and processing suitability are confirmed with your inquiry.
Download the grinding capability sheet (PDF, 2 pages)Start with the application
The material, incoming condition, and finished requirements belong in the same processing plan. Use these three questions to shape your inquiry.
Loads, wear, temperature, corrosion, electrical requirements, and appearance help define the material specification.
Specify incoming and finished dimensions, material condition, straightness, and surface finish. Include any cutting, chamfering, or later machining requirements.
Agree on quantities, material records, lot identification, surface protection, packaging, and the production schedule.
Consider ground bar when the starting stock must meet a specified diameter, surface finish, or straightness requirement for the next operation. If those requirements are already met by the supplied stock, extra processing may not be needed. K-O can review your drawing and incoming condition with you.
Yes. Grinding programs can use customer-supplied or K-O-sourced bar. Share the material grade, condition, starting size, and any material documentation requirements with the inquiry.
Send the exact grade and specification with your drawing. Our team can review the material, process, and required result together before confirming a plan.
Put your requirements in motion
Send the grade and condition, starting and finished diameters, length, tolerance, straightness, and surface-finish requirements. Include quantities, material records, and your schedule.
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