Tungsten Carbide
Family Overview
Tungsten Carbide (WC) is a tough, high-density ceramic often used in severe service applications. Tungsten carbides are commonly known for use in high-quality tooling inserts. Due to its high-temperature tolerance, stiffness, hardness, and flexural strength allow tungsten carbide is also used in other harsh applications like mechanical seals and downhole drilling components.
- Outstanding mechanical properties
- High thermal conductivity
Bonded Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten carbide bonded to nickel or cobalt is used for its good mechanical properties and excellent thermal conductivity allowing for reduced heat generation and longer running time.
Hot Pressed Tungsten Carbide
Hot pressed tungsten carbide has a fine-grained structure which enables its use in rigorous environments requiring an increased fracture toughness and hardness on top of the inherent high-strength of tungsten carbide.
| Properties | Units | Bonded Tungsten Carbide |
Hot Pressed Tungsten Carbide |
| Flexural Strength, MOR (20 °C) | MPa | 1550 - 2330 | 900 |
| Fracture Toughness, KIc | MPa m1/2 | 1.0 - 6.0 | 7.0 |
|
Thermal Conductivity (20 °C) |
W/m K | 1.4 - 100 | — |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 1x10-6/°C | 5.1 - 5.9 | 5.1 |
| Maximum Use Temperature | °C | 1000 | — |
| Dielectric Strength (6.35mm) | ac-kV/mm | — | — |
| Dielectric Loss (tan δ) | 1MHz, 25 °C | — | — |
| Volume Resistivity (25°C) | Ω-cm | <103 | — |