If you work in the metalworking industry, you’ve probably heard of it. Learn more about tungsten carbide and why this coating is so helpful in protecting equipment.
An alloy forms the tungsten carbide coating with 70 to 97% tungsten carbide (WC) and a binder metal, usually cobalt or nickel, forming a surface of high resistance and performance. Also known as tungsten carbide, this metallic coating is widely used in environments that require high resistance to abrasion and mechanical wear, and its hardness can reach ranges between 1200 to 1350 Vickers and adhesion around 10,000 PSI.
Thermoplastic Alloys With Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten carbide is sometimes used with thermoplastic coatings, providing the Carbuflon alloy with high-hardness spikes in a non-stick thermoplastic mesh. This alloy is indicated to prevent the processed material from adhering to the equipment, offering high mechanical resistance and non-adherence—an ideal solution for glue applicator rolls and tape or plastic film contact items.
Learn More About Tungsten Carbide:
The thermal spray process applies this coating; tungsten carbide can be an excellent alternative to solve problems related to abrasive wear and erosion in the most diverse segments of the industry. See how it is applied in this video:
See the tungsten carbide application
Main Benefits:
- Increases the useful life of the equipment and industrial parts;
- Provides abrasion and erosion resistance at temperatures up to 400°C;
- It can be a worthy substitute for hard chrome in cases that require thicker layers;
- It has a low level of porosity and high adhesion to the substrate;
- It provides industries with excellent cost-benefit ratios, avoiding frequent maintenance.
Main applications:
- sealing rings;
- wear bushings;
- Opening rollers;
- Traction rollers;
- rewinder rolls;
- Screw Conveyors;
- Tensioning rollers;
- Between others.
Now that you understand tungsten carbide and some of its characteristics and applications, get in touch with Tungco for example and find out how applying your production line can guarantee quality and high performance through this coating.
Where Is It Found?
The concentration of tungsten in the Earth’s crust is approximately 0.00013%. It is obtained by reducing ores such as Wolframite and Scheelite. The largest reserves are found in China (about 75%). After reduction to obtain pure tungsten powder, carburizing is carried out at high temperatures to form Tungsten Carbide (WC) powder.
Tungsten in like Tungsten Carbide Grit for example is bonded to carbon to form high-hardness carbides. These particles are dispersed in a metal matrix through grinding and sintering and then pulverizing to form a composite material which, when sprayed, creates a coating with excellent wear resistance and good corrosion resistance.
One of the most widespread alloys for thermal spray applications is 10% Cobalt and 4% Chromium, 5% Carbon, and 81% Tungsten. Tungsten carbide has a Compact Hexagonal structure and a density of 15.7 g/cc.
