Making the right product selection for any major industrial project is vital, and the field of tungsten carbide is no exception. How do you select the correct tungsten carbide grade for your needs? There are a few important factors to keep in mind.
At Extramet Products, we’re proud to offer a huge range of tungsten carbide products in various grades for many industries, from automotive to oil and gas, aerospace, energy, food packaging, medical equipment and more. Here’s a look at what tungsten carbide is, some examples of different tungsten carbide grades to consider for your applications, and some tips on how to make the ideal selection – a process our experts are happy to help you with!
Basics on Tungsten Carbide
For those just learning about this versatile material for industrial applications, here’s a quick overview. Tungsten carbide (WC) is a composite material made from tungsten and carbon atoms that are sintered together through high heat and pressure.
The result is a hard, wear-resistant material with superior strength and toughness compared to traditional metals like steel or iron. With its unique properties, tungsten carbide has become an essential component in various industries due to its ability to withstand extreme conditions and provide long-lasting performance.
Different Grades of Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten carbide comes in many different grades, each with its own specific combination of properties such as hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance, and thermal conductivity. There are a few categories these grades can be broken up into:
- Sub-micron: submicron grain and micrograin needs, several tungsten carbide grades like EMT100, EMT207, EMT210, and EMT212 may be used. These grades are used for various purposes, from the machining in of non-ferrous metals to several others. They have great wear resistance and are suitable for diamond coating.
- Fine: For fine grain needs, tungsten carbide grades EMT409 and EMT412 are used. These are ideal for everything from mill roughing to steel forming tools, plus manufacturing tool components.
- Ultra Fine: For ultrafine grain needs, tungsten carbide grades EMT609 and EMT612 are most common. These are for milling hardened steel and other materials, plus mould constructions and machining of titanium and other high-alloyed steels.
Factors in Selecting Ideal Tungsten Carbide Grade
Generally speaking, there are three key factors to evaluate when selecting the optimal tungsten carbide grade:
- Hardness: The hardness of any tungsten carbide grade will be determined by the ratio of tungsten carbide to cobalt in the mixture. The lower the percentage of cobalt, the harder the material will be – but it will also be more brittle.
- Binder content: When we talk about binder content, we’re referring to the percentage of cobalt in the tungsten carbide mixture. A higher percentage of cobalt will result in a tougher material, better able to withstand impact and shock.
- Grain size: The grain size of tungsten carbide can greatly affect its performance. Larger grains provide more strength and wear resistance, but smaller grains offer better density and hardness.
Generally, it’s advisable to specify two of these three factors to your manufacturer. It’s also important to strike a balance between wear resistance and impact resistance for your specific application. Our tungsten carbide experts at Extramet Products can help you evaluate these factors and choose the ideal grade for your needs.
Value of Professional Assistance
As you can see, selection of tungsten carbide grade for any project is a nuanced and complex process. It’s important to have the right knowledge and expertise to make the best choice for your specific needs. With our team of experts at Extramet Products, you can count on receiving personalized assistance throughout the entire selection process – from understanding your requirements to deciding on the ideal grade and even providing custom solutions if needed.
For instance, if you’re in the aerospace industry, you may need tungsten carbide with high strength and hardness to withstand extreme temperatures and pressure. On the other hand, if you’re in the medical equipment industry, your needs may be more focused on corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Our experts will work closely with you to understand your unique requirements and recommend the best possible grade for your project.
Selecting the right tungsten carbide grade is crucial for achieving optimal performance in any industrial application. With its unique properties and wide range of grades available, it’s important to carefully consider factors such as hardness, binder content, and grain size when making a selection. And with professional assistance from our team at Extramet, you can feel confident in your choice and achieve success in your project.
So next time you’re looking for tungsten carbide products, remember to keep these factors in mind and reach out to our experts for personalized assistance. Keep creating, building and innovating with the powerful material that is tungsten carbide!