Carbide – A Material for Maximum Precision and Durability

Carbide is a composite material made of tungsten carbide and a metallic binder—typically cobalt, and less commonly nickel. This combination makes carbide one of the hardest and most wear‑resistant materials used in industry. It combines extreme hardness with a level of toughness, making it ideal for tools, cutting inserts, and precision components that must operate under high loads and elevated temperatures.

Factors Influencing the Properties of Carbide

The performance of carbide is determined by several key parameters:

Grain Size of the Tungsten Carbide

The grain size directly influences hardness and wear resistance.

  • Ultrafine (<0.8 µm): Offers maximum hardness and wear resistance; ideal for applications involving extreme abrasion.
  • Fine to submicron: Provides a well‑balanced combination of hardness and toughness.
  • Coarse (>3 µm): Lower hardness, but significantly higher fracture strength and crack resistance—ideal for heavy‑duty loading.

Binder Content (Cobalt or Nickel)

The binder provides toughness.

  • Low binder content (3–6%): Maximizes hardness but results in increased brittleness.
  • High binder content (15–22%): Greater toughness but reduced hardness—suitable for applications involving impact loads.

Hardness and Wear Resistance

Carbide reaches hardness values between 890 and 2000 HV30 (Vickers hardness). The finer the grain size and the lower the binder content, the harder and more wear‑resistant the material becomes.

Flexural Strength and Fracture Toughness

These values determine the material’s resistance to fracture. Typical transverse rupture strength ranges from 3,400 to 4,500 N/mm², while fracture toughness ranges from 8 to >20 N/mm²·m½.

Nickel‑Bonded Carbide – The Non‑Magnetic Alternative

In addition to cobalt, nickel is used as a binder in certain specialized carbide grades. Nickel‑bonded carbides are non‑magnetic and offer increased corrosion resistance. This makes them ideal for applications in medical technology, the food industry, or any environment where magnetism and corrosion could pose a problem.