Grade planning

Use the Carbide Grade Selector Wizard as a first-pass review tool

The wizard helps organize the conditions that usually point a carbide grade in one direction or another: abrasion, impact, corrosion exposure, temperature, part geometry, and the balance between wear resistance and toughness.

Use the result to prepare for a conversation with Extramet, not as a final engineering decision. When a drawing, tolerance, sample part, or failure history is available, send it with the result so the team can review the real application.

Wear mode

Abrasion, erosion, sliding contact, repeated impact, edge wear, chipping, cracking, or loss of tolerance.

Part geometry

Small edges, long pins, thin walls, heavy sections, holes, grind allowance, and unsupported features.

Operating environment

Heat, corrosion, contact material, coolant, lubrication, production speed, and expected inspection requirements.

Tungsten Carbide Grade Selector Wizard

Answer a few questions and we will recommend a carbide grade profile for your application. This tool provides a practical starting point and helps you request the right material on your next quote.

Used to weight the recommendation toward typical failure modes in that segment.

3
Low Extreme
3
Low High

Cobalt binder can be sensitive in certain corrosive environments. We will flag options.

Note: This recommendation is guidance. Final grade selection depends on geometry, tolerance, and process.

After the result

Turn the grade profile into a useful quote conversation

The result gives you a starting profile to discuss with Extramet. It is most useful when paired with a drawing, quantity, tolerance target, finish requirement, contact material, and the reason the current part or material is being replaced.

Start a carbide RFQ

What the wizard can help with

It can help frame the tradeoff between harder, more wear-resistant grades and tougher grades that are better suited to impact or fracture risk.

What still needs review

Final grade direction can change after the team reviews part geometry, tolerance, surface finish, edge condition, inspection needs, and operating conditions.

What to send with the result

Include the drawing if available, photos of the worn part, the material being contacted, the current failure mode, quantity, timing, and any customer-supplied material notes.

Grade selector FAQs

Questions to ask before choosing a carbide grade

Is the wizard selecting an exact carbide grade?

No. It provides a grade profile for review, including binder direction, grain size direction, hardness direction, and toughness direction. Extramet should still review the part details before a production decision is made.

Why do wear and impact change the recommendation?

Hardness and toughness usually move in opposite directions. A harder grade can improve abrasion resistance, while a tougher grade can reduce the risk of fracture, chipping, or impact failure.

Can wet or corrosive environments affect the grade?

Yes. Binder choice and grain structure can matter when a part sees coolant, moisture, chemicals, or other corrosive exposure. Those details should be included in the RFQ notes.

What should I do after getting a recommendation?

Copy the result, attach the drawing or application notes, and send it through the RFQ form. Extramet can then review the grade direction against the part geometry, tolerance, process, and delivery needs.