Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten carbide (cemented carbide) is tungsten carbide grains bonded with cobalt, giving extreme hardness (around 88–93 HRA) and wear resistance, second only to diamond among common tool materials. It is used for cutting tools, dies, wear parts, nozzles and seal faces.
What it is
Carbide parts are made by pressing and sintering powder, then finished by diamond grinding, lapping or EDM. Cobalt content controls the balance between hardness (low cobalt) and toughness (higher cobalt).
Carbide can outlast hardened steel many times over in abrasive wear, making it cost-effective for high-wear components.
Typical applications
- Cutting tools and inserts
- Wire drawing and forming dies
- Wear parts, liners and guides
- Nozzles and orifices
- Mechanical seal faces and bearings
Materials & grades
- WC-Co grades (6–15% cobalt)
- Nickel-bonded carbide (corrosion resistant)
- Carbide rods, plates and preforms
Points to consider
- Brittle compared to steel; avoid sharp corners and impact loads.
- Nickel binder resists corrosion better than cobalt.
- Machining only by diamond grinding or EDM; design near-net preforms.
- Brazed or shrink-fitted carbide inserts save cost on large parts.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is tungsten carbide?
Around 88–93 HRA, far harder than hardened steel, giving exceptional wear resistance.
Can tungsten carbide be machined?
Only by diamond grinding, lapping or EDM, so parts are usually made from near-net sintered preforms.
Is tungsten carbide brittle?
Compared to steel, yes. Higher cobalt grades improve toughness for impact applications.