The Oxford dictionary defines tungsten carbide as,"a very hard gray compound made by reaction of tungsten and carbon at high temperatures,used in making engineering dies,cutting and tools,etc."The chemical formula of this compound is WC,or in some cases it could also be W2C.Owing to the extreme hardness demonstrated by this compound,it has found several uses in the engineering and manufacturing sectors.It is known to be much harder than other materials such as stainless steel and chrome.
For instance,it is widely used in manufacturing drill bits.A drill bit is the cutting or drilling part of a drill.This part needs to be made of very hard material so that it doesn't break or chip when in use.Drill bits that are made using this compound can be used to for drilling virtually any type of material.Their hardness explains the reason why drill bits made from tungsten carbide are preferred over other types of materials.Drill-bits manufactured from this compound are increasingly being used in Printed Circuit Board(PCB)applications.As we know,a drill used for boring holes on a PCB needs to be exceedingly thin,yet tough.
Another common industrial application of this compound is in making tungsten carbide balls.Such balls are often used in spray nozzles for regulating the flow of liquids.Tungsten carbide balls are also used in several gauging instruments,as well as in ball pens to regulate the flow of ink.
However,it needs to be noted here that this particular compound is slightly more expensive,but lasts much longer than other similar materials.This makes it a worthwhile investment.Here are some other attributes that have made tungsten carbide a popular choice in industrial and commercial applications:
This compound has inert properties,making it suitable to be used with different types of chemicals.
It is much harder than other materials such as stainless steel and chrome,thus making it suitable for demanding applications.
Being the hardest metal known to man,this particular compound is highly resistant to scratches and wear.It can be easily used for several different applications where continuous use is involved.
This compound has an extremely high melting point.Thus,it is suitable for applications where temperatures go as high as 2,600 degrees centigrade.
Since this compound is known to be brittle,its properties can be changed by changing the amount of carbon to make it less brittle.
In addition to be used in different types of cutting and drilling tools,tungsten carbide is also used in the nuclear sector,in making ammunition that is capable of piercing armor,in high precision surgical instruments,and much more.
