These days we heavily depend on recycled goods to decrease potential damage to our environment. Certain metals and alloys, like tungsten carbide, have qualities that make them useful for a variety of purposes/applications. Tungsten is a dense metal substance that can be used in everything from common household products to industrial equipment. The uses of tungsten are limitless. The unique attributes of tungsten make it an indispensable rare metal naturally found on Earth.
What Is Tungsten Carbide?
Tungsten carbide is a substance that is formed from combining tungsten metal with carbon atoms. It is a chemical compound known as WC and at its most basic, it is a gray powder. This gray powder can then be sintered to form the desired product. It is a strong material, often used in the industrial field, but its applications are endless. In fact, tungsten carbide is so hard that only diamond tools can cut it. Tungsten carbide is especially durable, more so than its other metal counterparts such as gold, silver, or platinum.
What Are The Properties of Tungsten Carbide?
Tungsten carbide properties are highly unique. High strength, density, and hardness are properties that set tungsten carbide apart and make it a versatile material with many uses. Tungsten carbide can withstand extremely high temperatures, making it a great material for use in machining and cutting tools and even for furnaces, and can be formed to conduct electricity or vice versa. Wear and corrosion resistance are among the other tungsten carbide properties that demonstrate its versatility and uniqueness.
5 Industrial Applications of Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten carbide’s unique properties and exceptional qualities make it a sought-after material for so many different applications. The range of tungsten applications and its value are not only limited to the manufacturing and industrial field, but also play a significant role in the medical field, the fashion world, and many others.
#1: Construction
Construction requires the use of tools with high strength and toughness so that they can withstand being used on the materials that make up most structures. Materials like cement and asphalt are challenging to penetrate, requiring an especially durable and strong blade or drill bit, like those made of tungsten carbide. Tungsten carbide is commonly used in construction materials such as saws and drill bits because it is almost unbreakable.
#2: Industrial Alloys
To create electronics, construction projects, industrial gears, and even aeronautical equipment, alloys are formed by mixing metals with other metals or elements. These alloys are made to have the specific properties, like strength or heat resistance, necessary for each individual product and its use. Alloys created from tungsten carbide are a particularly popular choice for construction materials and tools. Around 17% of all the tungsten carbide being used is for the creation of these alloys.
#3: The Milling Industry
The uses of tungsten carbide are far-reaching. Due to its durability and sturdiness, about 10% of all tungsten carbide usage comes from the milling industry. Often used for mill inserts and end mills, tungsten carbide can be easily molded while remaining tough. The milling industry requires materials such as tungsten carbide because it is an industry that relies on precision; the product created might need to be powdered, grinded, or grated and tungsten carbide’s versatility allows for incredibly precise milling tools.
#4: Jewelry
Another new and refreshing use for tungsten carbide is the jewelry industry. Tungsten carbide, if cut, crafted, and polished well, can look as stunning as any other jewelry you might normally wear. As well as being known for its incredible and above-average scratch resistance, tungsten carbide is also an affordable alternative to the gold or silver jewelry we’re used to paying for. Due to its durability, this metal is taking the industry by storm, already being widely used to make earrings, necklaces, and rings.
#5: Surgical Tools Production
Many of the uses of tungsten carbide which are possible are still being discovered and among these new applications is its use in the medical field. Tungsten carbide is often used to create surgical instruments because it enhances their performance and is also corrosion-resistant. It adds to the longevity and the strength of the surgical tools. The properties of tungsten carbide, like its ability to be sharpened while maintaining its hardness, lend themselves well to the surgical industry.
Other Uses
The applications of tungsten carbide are endless. It is used in sports equipment such as golf clubs, because of its durability and strength. It can be used in musical instruments such as guitar slides. Another important use of tungsten carbide, which we have all surely encountered, is the tip of ballpoint pens. Tungsten carbide is also used in electrical components, especially light bulbs because of its heat-resistant property. Another application of tungsten carbide is for armor-piercing ammunition because it is such a durable and tough material. In addition, another interesting and avant-garde application of tungsten carbide is in space satellites due to its resistance to extreme fluctuations in temperatures.
Conclusion
As we can clearly understand, whether big or small, tungsten and tungsten carbide play a significant role in our lives and are encountered in every industry. The applications of tungsten carbide are significantly revolutionizing the way we see products and recycling in general. There is a path that leads straight to the future, and it is paved with tungsten carbide. If you are looking for a material that is versatile and durable, then look no further because tungsten carbide is changing the world with one drill bit and one golf club at a time. A complete line of Lineage Metallurgical products is available in our online store.
