Overview of tungsten carbide
Tungsten Carbide (WC) is a hard, brittle, and corrosion-resistant material composed of equal parts tungsten and carbon atoms. It is a popular member of the cemented carbide family, known for its incredible hardness, strength, and thermal stability. Tungsten carbide is often used in industrial applications requiring high wear resistance and the ability to maintain sharp edges, even under extreme conditions.
Features of tungsten carbide
-
Exceptional Hardness: With a Mohs hardness of 9.0 to 9.5, tungsten carbide is one of the hardest materials available, second only to diamond.
-
High Density: Its density ranges from 14.5 to 15.6 g/cm³, providing substantial mass in a small volume, beneficial for applications like balancing and weighting.
-
Thermal Stability: Retains its hardness up to temperatures around 1000°C, making it suitable for high-temperature applications.
-
High Young’s Modulus: Possesses a high modulus of elasticity, indicating stiffness and resistance to deformation under load.
-
Brittleness: Although extremely hard, tungsten carbide is also brittle, requiring careful handling to avoid chipping or fracturing.
-
Chemical Resistance: Resistant to corrosion from most acids except for hydrofluoric acid and strong alkalis, and is not attacked by most organic materials.
(tungsten carbide)
Parameters of tungsten carbide
Tungsten carbide (WC) is a hard, wear-resistant material that is commonly used in a variety of applications due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent thermal stability.
The most common parameter for WC is the density, which is measured in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³). WC has a density of around 8 g/cm³, making it relatively light but strong compared to other carbides.
Another important parameter for WC is its hardness, which is measured on the Rockwell hardness scale. WC can range from a hardness of 350 to 700 HRC, depending on the specific composition and treatment method used.
WC also exhibits good resistance to corrosion and wear, making it an ideal material for use in extreme environments such as aerospace and automotive industries. However, it is not recommended for use in temperatures below -269°C due to the risk of embrittlement.
Overall, tungsten carbide is a versatile and highly durable material with a wide range of applications in various industries.
(tungsten carbide)
Applications of tungsten carbide
-
Cutting Tools: Used in the manufacture of drills, milling cutters, and other metal-cutting tools due to its hardness and heat resistance.
-
Mining and Construction: For drill bits, saw tips, and wear parts in earthmoving equipment due to its exceptional wear resistance.
-
Jewelry: Provides a durable and scratch-resistant alternative to precious metals in rings and other jewelry items.
-
Ballistic Applications: Used in armor-piercing ammunition and protective plates due to its hardness and density.
-
Dies and Punches: In the forming of other metal parts in stamping and punching operations due to its wear resistance and ability to hold a sharp edge.
-
Oil and Gas Drilling: As components of drill bits and wear parts in drilling equipment due to its toughness and resistance to abrasion.
Company Profile
MyCarbides is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality carbides and relative 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 carbide materials and relative products, please feel free to contact us or click on the needed products to send an inquiry.
Payment Methods
L/C, T/T, Western Union, Paypal, Credit Card etc.
Shipment
It could be shipped by sea, by air, or by reveal ASAP as soon as repayment receipt.
FAQs of tungsten carbide
Q: How is tungsten carbide manufactured?
A: tungsten carbide is typically produced by mixing tungsten carbide powder with a binder metal (commonly cobalt), pressing the mixture into shape, and then sintering it at high temperatures to form a solid, tough material.
Q: Is tungsten carbide recyclable?
A: Yes, tungsten carbide is highly recyclable. Scrap and worn-out tungsten carbide tools can be collected, reground, and reused or reprocessed back into tungsten carbide powder.
Q: How does tungsten carbide compare to steel in terms of hardness and toughness?
A: While tungsten carbide is much harder than steel, making it suitable for cutting and drilling harder materials, it is less tough, meaning it is more prone to chipping or breaking under impact compared to steel.
Q: Can tungsten carbide be machined easily?
A: No, due to its extreme hardness, tungsten carbide is very difficult to machine using conventional methods. It often requires specialized grinding or electrical discharge machining (EDM) techniques.
Q: Is tungsten carbide dangerous to health?
A: In its solid form, tungsten carbide is generally safe to handle. However, during grinding or machining, dust containing tungsten carbide and cobalt binder can be released, which can be hazardous if inhaled. Proper protective measures are necessary.
(tungsten carbide)
