Features and Applications of Tungsten Carbide

       

To fully understand the applications and importance of tungsten carbide, it is important to look at its properties. In its most basic form, tungsten carbide is a fine grey powder. However, it can be pressed, moulded and formed into various shapes for use in cutting tools, industrial machinery, abrasives and jewellery.

What makes tungsten carbide unique and special? What physical properties make it usable in a wide range of machining applications?

The main advantage of using carbide tools is that it produces a better finish on the work piece being worked on. Faster machining can be achieved while using carbide tungsten tools. Ability to withstand high temperatures, in comparison to other cutting tools, is another important advantage of using carbide tungsten tools.

Tungsten Carbide is about three times stiffer than steel and it is denser than titanium and steel. In terms of hardness, tungsten carbide is equivalent to sapphire or corundum. Carbide has a high melting point and is very hard. In addition, carbide tools have high precision cutting capabilities.

The main application for carbide tungsten is machine tools. Carbide cutting edges are frequently used for machining strong and tough stainless steel or carbon steel. They are also used in instances where other tool types would wear away, for example, on top quality high production lines.

The machining applications and tools in which tungsten carbide tools are used are: turning, drilling, milling, facing, planning, threading, parting off, grooving and deep hole boring. These tools are used for cutting steel, non ferrous materials and cast iron in a wide range of industries including automobile, aerospace, earth moving, oil equipment and heavy engineering.

Carbide tools are also used in the machining of various materials, namely aircraft materials such as nimonic and titanium alloys; cast Iron of all grades, mechanical parts made of alloy and carbon steel, aluminum, brass, bronze and copper. Tungsten Carbide tools are widely used in machine shops to increase productivity, efficiency and to reduce production costs.

Tungsten Carbide brazed tools are used on CNC turning centers for pre-machining and for cost effective parting off. They are also used in conventional lathes, automatic lathes, deep hole boring machines to improve through put and quality of parts machined.