Tungsten Carbide Blades & Spare Parts Australia

Tungsten carbide is extremely strong and durable, known for its remarkable hardness. On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, it rates about 8.5 to 9, making it one of the hardest materials available, second only to diamonds. It has a compressive strength of around 2,500 to 3,000 MPa (megapascals) and can withstand high levels of wear, making it ideal for applications such as cutting tools and industrial machinery. Its toughness, combined with its resistance to scratching and deformation, makes tungsten carbide an excellent choice for demanding environments.

Tungsten carbide is primarily made of two elements: tungsten and carbon. The process involves combining tungsten metal powder with carbon black or graphite. When heated together at high temperatures, these components react to form tungsten carbide (WC), a compound known for its exceptional hardness and durability. The typical composition consists of approximately 90-95% tungsten and 5-10% carbon, depending on the specific application and desired properties.

Tungsten carbide is produced through a multi-step process that begins with mixing tungsten metal powder and carbon black or graphite in specific proportions. The mixture is then heated in a furnace at high temperatures (around 1,400 to 1,600°C) to facilitate a reaction that forms tungsten carbide. After the initial reaction, the resulting powder is milled to achieve the desired particle size. Next, the powder is compacted into shape using a hydraulic press to create a "green" part, which is then sintered in a vacuum or inert atmosphere at high temperatures, fusing the particles together and enhancing density and hardness. Finally, the sintered parts may undergo machining or grinding to ensure precise dimensions and finishes, resulting in the exceptionally hard and durable material known as tungsten carbide.

Tungsten carbide is a highly durable and hard material used in a variety of applications, including cutting tools such as drills and saw blades, industrial machinery components like bushings and rollers, It is also utilised in mining and drilling equipment for its ability to withstand harsh conditions, as well as in high-performance aerospace and automotive parts where wear and heat resistance are critical. Additionally, tungsten carbide finds use in medical instruments for precision and longevity, making it a versatile material across multiple industries.