Tungsten carbide (chemical formula: WC) is a chemical compound (specifically, a carbide) containing equal parts of tungsten and carbon atoms. In its most basic form, tungsten carbide is a fine gray powder, but it can be pressed and formed into shapes for use in industrial machinery, cutting tools, abrasives, armor-piercing rounds, other tools and instruments, and jewelry.
Tungsten carbide has a high melting point at 2,870 °C (5,200 °F), a boiling point of 6,000 °C (10,830 °F) when under a pressure equivalent to 1 standard atmosphere (100 kPa),a thermal conductivity of 110 W·m−1·K−1,and a coefficient of thermal expansion of 5.5 µm·m−1·K−1
Tungsten carbide is extremely hard, ranking about 9 on Mohs scale, and with a Vickers number of around 2600.It has a Young’s modulus of approximately 530–700 GPa,a bulk modulus of 630–655 GPa, and a shear modulus of 274 GPa. It has an ultimate tensile strength of 344 MPa, an ultimate compression strength of about 2.7 GPa and a Poisson’s ratio of 0.31.
Sintered tungsten carbide cutting tools are very abrasion resistant and can also withstand higher temperatures than standard high-speed steel tools. Carbide cutting surfaces are often used for machining through materials such as carbon steel or stainless steel, and in situations where other tools would wear away, such as high-quantity production runs. Because carbide tools maintain a sharp cutting edge better than other tools, they generally produce a better finish on parts, and their temperature resistance allows faster machining. The material is usually called cemented carbide, hardmetal or tungsten-carbide cobalt: it is a metal matrix composite, where tungsten carbide particles are the aggregate, and metallic cobalt serves as the matrix. Manufacturers use tungsten carbide as the main material in some high-speed drill bits, as it can resist high temperatures and is extremely hard.
The application of Tungsten carbide is extensive:
Cutting tools for machining/Ammunition/Mining/Nuclear/Sports usage/Surgical instruments/Jewelry/other
GN’s centrifuge screw is protected by interchangeable tungsten carbide tile for longer service life and easy maintenance