Different Tungsten Carbide Grades and Its Applications

Tungsten carbide (WC) is a highly durable ceramic material widely used in industrial applications due to its extreme hardness, wear resistance, and thermal stability. It is typically combined with cobalt (Co) or nickel (Ni) binders to form cemented carbide grades. Below are common tungsten carbide grades and their applications:

1. Common Tungsten Carbide Grades

Tungsten carbide grades are classified based on their composition, grain size, and binder content (usually cobalt or nickel). Here are the main categories:

A. Straight Grades (WC-Co)

These grades consist of tungsten carbide with cobalt as the binder. The hardness and toughness vary based on the cobalt content and grain size.

Grade	Cobalt (%)	Grain Size	Hardness (HRA)	Transverse Rupture Strength (MPa)	Key Properties
K10 / C2	3-6%	Ultra-fine	92-94	2000-3500	High hardness, wear-resistant
K20 / C6	6-8%	Fine	90-92	2500-4000	Balanced hardness & toughness
K30 / C10	10-12%	Medium	88-90	3000-4500	High toughness, impact-resistant
K40 / C15	15-20%	Coarse	85-88	3500-5000+	Very tough, shock-resistant

B. Micrograin Grades (Submicron & Nano WC)

Ultra-fine grain sizes (<0.5µm) for extreme hardness and precision.
Used in cutting tools, PCB drills, and medical instruments.
Example: K05 (0.2-0.5µm grain, 3-6% Co, HRA 93-95).

C. Corrosion-Resistant Grades (WC-Ni or WC-Ni-Cr)

Nickel or nickel-chromium binders instead of cobalt for chemical resistance.
Used in marine, chemical, and food processing applications.
Example: C10-Ni (10% Ni, HRA 88-90).

D. High-Temperature Grades (WC-TiC-TaC-Co)

Added titanium carbide (TiC) and tantalum carbide (TaC) for high-temperature stability.
Used in metal cutting inserts (e.g., P, M, K ISO classifications).

E. Wear-Resistant Grades (WC with Special Additives)

Enhanced with chromium carbide (Cr3C2) for oxidation resistance.
Example: K15X (6% Co, Cr3C2 addition, HRA 91-92).

2. Applications of Tungsten Carbide Grades

Grade Type	Typical Applications
K10 / Ultra-Fine	Precision cutting tools, PCB drills, wear parts, engraving tools
K20 / K30	Milling inserts, mining tools (drill bits), punches, dies
K40 / High-Cobalt	Heavy duty rock drilling, oil & gas tools, stamping dies
Micrograin	Medical tools, micro drills, high precision cutting
WC-Ni (Corrosion-Resistant)	Seals, valves, marine components, chemical processing
WC-TiC-TaC (High-Temp)	Metal cutting inserts (steel, cast iron machining)
Cr3C2-Modified	High temperature wear parts, furnace components

3. Industry-Specific Uses

Mining & Construction: Drill bits, road planing picks (K30-K40 grades).
Metalworking: Cutting inserts (P/M/K grades), end mills (K10-K20).
Oil & Gas: Downhole tools, wear rings (high cobalt grades).
Aerospace: Turbine blade coatings, wear resistant components.
Medical: Surgical blades, dental drills (ultra fine micrograin).
Electronics: PCB micro drills (submicron WC-Co).

4. Selection Criteria

Hardness vs. Toughness: Higher cobalt = more toughness but lower hardness.
Grain Size: Finer grains = sharper edges but less impact resistance.
Environment: Corrosive conditions require Ni-binder grades.

Tungsten carbide (WC) is a remarkable chemical compound renowned for its exceptional properties, making it a cornerstone in cemented carbides. With a high melting point and low thermal expansion, this material excels in high temperature environments, delivering high performance and outstanding wear resistance. Its high strength and corrosion resistance ensure durability across a wide range of applications, from precisely cut drill bits to cutting edges that outperform high speed steels. Produced from tungsten carbide powder with controlled grain size, it enables a wide variety of tools designed for extreme conditions and prolonged use.

“Zhuzhou Old Craftsman Precision Alloy Co., Ltd. could make tungsten carbide wear parts and make your equipment use life is tens of times longer than before! We specialize in providing customized carbide wear products solutions to meet the demanding requirements of industries such as aerospace, automotive, mining, and precision machining.”