Tungsten carbide, commonly referred to as cemented carbide, is a material known for its extreme hardness and excellent wear resistance. It is synthesized from tungsten and carbon through a powder metallurgy process. Tungsten carbide is widely used in cutting tools, drill bits, molds, and various wear-resistant equipment. Its main advantage is its ability to maintain stable performance under extreme working conditions such as high temperatures, high pressures, and high friction environments.
Characteristics
Hardness
Tungsten carbide has an extremely high hardness, close to that of diamond, making it an ideal material for manufacturing various wear-resistant tools.
Wear Resistance
Among all hard materials, tungsten carbide exhibits very high wear resistance, able to withstand prolonged friction without deformation.
Compressive Strength
Tungsten carbide has a high compressive strength, capable of resisting pressures up to 6000 MPa, making it suitable for high-pressure applications.
Heat Resistance
Tungsten carbide maintains its physical and chemical properties stable up to temperatures of 900°C.
Structural and Hardness Properties
Material
Hardness
WC (Grain size)
Co
Structure
HRA
HV
µm
wt%
WC-Co
~95.6
~2550
~0.3
0.5
Tungsten carbide, due to its exceptional properties, is widely used in:
Metal Processing
Manufacturing drill bits, milling cutters, turning tools, etc.