A versatile combination. Tungsten carbide
Tungsten carbide refers to the combination of a metallic hard material with relatively soft metals such as cobalt and nickel, which are known as “binding metals” or “binders”. The great strengths of tungsten carbide are its very high hardness and pressure resistance. The latter can reach up to 7,000 MPa, a value only surpassed by diamond. Tungsten carbide is an unbeatable material when used correctly.
Maximum hardness. Optimal resilience, wear resistance and corrosion resistance
Very high pressure resistance. Only diamond can withstand higher pressure
Wide range of applications.
Optimum alloys for a wide variety of applications
The image shows a typical join of a hard metal with 90% tungsten carbide and 10% cobalt with a grain size of 0.44 µm.
The composition determines the properties
Depending on the variation of hard metal type, the binder metal and its proportion, and the grain size, the result can be different hard metal grades with varying properties. In addition to the most common compositions of tungsten carbide and cobalt or nickel, there are special grades of titanium carbide with nickel or molybdenum as the binder. Determining which hard metal is appropriate and which alloy is optimal always depends on the planned use and the individual requirements for the specific component.
A comparison of tungsten carbide types
For the most challenging areas of application
More than half of all hard metal components are used in machining technology. Furthermore, around 10% of tungsten carbide products are used for non-cutting processes in drawing dies, matrices or rollers. Tungsten carbide is also used to produce tools for mining, road and tunnel construction and for a wide range of wear parts such as nozzles, sealing rings, knives and cutting edges.
The fascination of manufacturing
Hard metal alloys are formed by combining the materials under high pressure followed by sintering at a high temperature. The hard material and binder do not completely mix, but remain as separate material particles with defined grain boundaries in the structure.
The manufacturing process in detail
