This part of ISO 9361 specifies the dimensions of indexable ceramic inserts with rounded corners, without fixing hole, and with 0° and 11° normal clearance. These inserts are primarily intended to be mounted by top clamping on turning and boring tools.

Ceramic cutting materials consist of a variety of oxides, nitrides, and carbides. In contrast with hardmetals (including cermets), ceramics do not have a metallic binding matrix. Such ceramic materials are, for example, oxide ceramics [consisting primarily of aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃)], carboxide ceramics [consisting generally of a mixture of aluminium oxide and other materials such as titanium carbide (TiC)], and nitride ceramics [consisting generally of a mixture of silicon nitride and other materials, such as yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) and aluminium oxide].