Tungsten Carbide
Carbide is a composite of tungsten-carbide (WC) particles bound together by a binder, usually cobalt (Co).
It is produced using powder-metallurgy processes. The process begins by carefully blending WC and Co powders with a lubricant (typically paraffin) to ensure even pressing or extrusion. So that the pressed or extruded parts can be machined, they are pre-sintered — which leaves them with a consistency rather like that of blackboard chalk. A final sintering stage then turns them into the finished product.
Choosing the right grade of carbide is key to meeting the demands of chip-removal machining. The right grade is found by assessing its grain size (the size of the individual tungsten particles) and its binder (Co) content. TUSA sources its semi-finished stock (rods and more) from certified suppliers with an internationally recognised reputation for quality.