Abstract Strength of WC and TiC base hardmetals and their durability in metalforming (blanking) operations have been investigated. It has been shown that transverse rupture strength R TZ, critical stress intensity factor K Ic, and ultimate plastic strain ep as individual properties do not enable exact estimation of the resistance of hardmetals to fracture (edge chipping) in blanking operations, which are characterised by complex stress states and pronounced cyclical loads of an impact nature. Instead, a new characteristic, sensitive to structure as well as porosity (internal flaws), is suggested as a reliable measure of the resistance of hardmetals to fracture: applied toughness (characteristic of toughness and reliability in application) is defined as the product of transverse rupture strength and ultimate plastic strain in compression. PM/0764