Overview of Tungsten Carbide

Tungsten carbide is a compound composed of tungsten and carbon. The tungsten carbide formula is WC, and the Tungsten carbide molecular weight is 195.85.

Tungsten carbide color

The most basic form of tungsten carbide is a fine gray powder, but it can be pressed into shapes through sintering for use in industrial machinery, cutting tools, abrasives, armor-piercing bullets, and jewelry.

The stiffness of tungsten carbide is about twice that of steel, and Young’s modulus is about 530-700 GPa (77,000 to 102,000 ksi), which is twice the density of steel and is almost between lead and gold. Its hardness is comparable to that of corundum (α-Al2O3), and only cubic boron nitride and diamond powder, grinding wheels, and compounds with high-hardness abrasives can be used for polishing and finishing.

Tungsten carbide is also used to make tungsten carbide rings, tungsten carbide men’s rings, wedding bands, tungsten carbide men’s wedding bands, etc. Tungsten carbide rings are cheaper than gold or platinum rings, and tungsten carbide is more scratch-resistant than any other metal and available in a wide variety of styles, colors, and inlays, like black tungsten carbide rings, tungsten carbide rings gold.

Black tungsten carbide is a hexagonal crystal with metallic luster and hardness similar to a diamond. It is a good conductor of electricity and heat. Tungsten carbide is insoluble in water, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid but easily soluble in mixed nitric and hydrofluoric acid. Pure tungsten carbide is fragile, and if a small amount of titanium, cobalt, and other metals are added, the brittleness can be reduced. Tungsten carbide used as a steel cutting tool is often added with titanium carbide, tantalum carbide, or their mixture to improve the anti-knock ability. Tungsten carbide is chemically stable. Tungsten carbide powder is used in cemented carbide production materials.

Performance of of of Tungsten Carbide WC Powder

Black hexagonal crystals; Melting point 2870 ° C ± 50 ° C; Boiling point 6000 ° C; Dissolved in mixed acid of nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid, also in aqua regia; Insoluble in cold water; The relative density of 15.63; Strong acid resistance; High hardness, High elastic modulus; Use for the production of various alloys.

Technical Parameters of Tungsten Carbide WC Powder

WC	Molecular Weight	Total Carbon	Free   Carbon	O	As	Bi	Ca	Cd
99.95	195.86	6.13-6.18	0.05	0.05	0.001	0.0003	0.0015	0.0005
Cr	Cu	Fe	K	Mn	Na	Mo	P	Pb
0.005	0.0003	0.015	0.002	0.001	0.002	0.003	0.001	0.0003
Sb	Si	Sn	Ti	V	Ni	Co	S	Al
0.0005	0.0015	0.0003	0.001	0.001	0.005	0.01	0.001	0.001

 

Production Process of Tungsten Carbide WC Powder

Using metal tungsten and carbon as raw materials, tungsten powder with an average particle size of 3 to 5 μm and carbon black of the same amount are dry mixed with a ball mill, fully mixed, press-molded, and placed into a graphite plate, and then placed in a graphite resistance furnace Or it can be heated to 1400～1700℃ in an induction furnace, preferably 1550～1650℃. In the hydrogen stream, W2C is initially produced and continues to react at high temperatures to produce WC. Firstly, tungsten hexacarbonyl is thermally decomposed at 650-1000°C in the CO atmosphere to obtain tungsten powder and then reacted with carbon monoxide at 1150°C to obtain WC. Temperatures higher than this temperature can generate W2C.

Chemical reaction formula:

2W + C = W2C

W + C = WC

Tungsten trioxide WO3 is hydrogenated and reduced to prepare tungsten powder (average particle size 3～5μm). Then, the mixture of tungsten powder and carbon black in an equimolar ratio (dry-blended with a ball mill for about 10 hours) is press-formed under a 1t/cm2 pressure. Put the pressurized material block into a graphite pan or crucible, and heat it to 1400～1700℃ (preferably 1550～1650) in a hydrogen stream (using pure hydrogen with a dew point of -35℃) using a graphite resistance furnace or an induction electric furnace ℃), carburizing will produce WC. The reaction starts from around the tungsten particles because W2C is generated at the beginning of the reaction. Because the reaction is incomplete (mainly because the reaction temperature is low), unreacted W and intermediate W2C remain in addition to WC. Therefore, it must be heated to the above-mentioned high temperature. The maximum temperature should be determined according to the particle size of raw tungsten. For coarse particles with an average particle size of about 150 μm, the reaction proceeds at a high temperature of 1550 to 1650°C.

Chemical reaction formula:

WO3 + 3H2 → W + 3H2O

2WO3 + 3C → 2W + 3CO2

2W + C = W2C

W + C = WC

 

Applications of Tungsten Carbide WC Powder

Tungsten carbide is widely used as high-speed cutting tools, furnace structural materials, jet engine parts, cermet materials, resistance heating elements, etc. Used to manufacture cutting tools, wear-resistant parts, melting crucibles for metals such as copper, cobalt, bismuth, and wear-resistant semiconductor films.

Tungsten carbide is used as a super-hard tool material and wear-resistant material.

Tungsten carbide can form a solid solution with many carbides. WC-TiC-Co cemented carbide tools have been widely used.

Tungsten carbide can also be used as a modified additive of NbC-C and TaC-C ternary system carbides, reducing the sintering temperature and maintaining excellent performance. It can be used as an aerospace material.

Tungsten carbide (WC) powder can also be synthesized using tungsten anhydride (WO3) and graphite in a reducing atmosphere at a high temperature of 1400～1600℃. Dense ceramic products can be obtained by hot pressing sintering or hot isostatic pressing sintering.

Tungsten carbide (WC) powder can also be used to produce high-capability nano-crystalline or superfine horniness alloy, hard-face abrasion-resistant spraying and petrochemical cracking catalyst; Chipless forming tools; Cutting tools; Mining tools; Nano-composites (for enhanced hardness, strength, and wear resistance); Erosion-resistant coatings; wear-resistance coatings; Corrosion-resistant coatings; Wear-resistant parts.

 

Company Profile

My Carbides is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality carbides and relatives products.

The company has a professional technical department and Quality Supervision Department, a well-equipped laboratory, and equipped with advanced testing equipment and after-sales customer service center.If you are looking for high-quality Carbides, please feel free to contact us or click on the needed products to send an inquiry.

Storage Condition of Tungsten Carbide WC Powder

Tungsten carbide WC powder dispersion performance and using effects, therefore, niobium carbide NbC powder should be sealed in vacuum packing and stored in a cool and dry room, the niobium carbide can not be exposure to air. In addition, the NbC powder should be avoided under stress.

Payment Methods of Tungsten Carbide WC Powder

L/C, T/T, Western Union, Paypal, Credit Card etc.

Shipment of Tungsten Carbide WC Powder

It could be shipped by sea, by air, or by reveal ASAP as soon as repayment receipt.

Package of Tungsten Carbide WC Powder

Vacuum packing, 1kg/bag, 25kg/barrel, or as your request.

FAQ

Q1: Why is the color of tungsten carbide powder black?
Answer: The surface of tungsten carbide powder is easily oxidized by oxygen in the air, producing oxides, causing it to appear black. In addition, impurity contamination and excessive heating may also cause tungsten carbide powder to turn black.

Q2: What is the hardness of tungsten carbide powder?
Answer: Tungsten carbide powder has extremely high hardness, second only to diamond, and is an ideal material for manufacturing high-performance cutting tools and wear-resistant parts.

Q3: What is the wear resistance of tungsten carbide powder?
Answer: Tungsten carbide powder has excellent wear resistance and can maintain a long service life in high-load and high-speed working environments.

Q4: Will tungsten carbide powder cause splashing during use?
Answer: Yes, during the surfacing process of tungsten carbide powder, since the hard carbide is not easy to fully integrate with the metal molten pool, slag will be formed, which may cause splashing.

Q5: How to control spatter during tungsten carbide powder cladding welding?
Answer: Controlling spatter during tungsten carbide powder cladding can be achieved by adjusting welding parameters, optimizing the cladding process, and using special technologies.

Q6: Is tungsten carbide powder harmful to the human body?
Answer: Tungsten carbide powder itself is not toxic, but inhaling its dust for a long time may cause irritation or damage to the lungs. Therefore, when handling tungsten carbide powder, you should wear protective masks and gloves and ensure that the workplace is well ventilated.