What is solid carbide and what are its properties?

‍What is solid carbide?

solid carbide (VHM), also carbide Called (HM), is a material consisting primarily of tungsten carbide (WC) and a binder, usually cobalt (Co), consists. It is a very hard and wear-resistant material that is often used for tools that work in extreme conditions.

Tools such as Drills, cutters, threading tools and saw blades

The tungsten carbide in solid carbide gives it its hardness and wear resistance, while the binder, usually cobalt, ensures that the material sticks together and has high strength. Solid carbide tools are very durable due to their hardness and wear resistance and can be used under extreme conditions.

Solid carbide is also used in other applications, such as in the automotive industry, aerospace, electronics and medical technology. It is an important material for many industrial applications because it has an excellent combination of hardness, wear resistance and strength.

What are the properties of solid carbide?

Hardness: Solid carbide is very hard and has a hardness of 8.5 to 9.0 on the Mohs scale. This makes it ideal for tools that have to work under extreme conditions.

wear resistance: Due to its hardness and composition, solid carbide is extremely wear-resistant and can be used under extreme conditions for a long time.

strength: Solid carbide has high strength and can withstand heavy loads.

Chemical resistance: Solid carbide is resistant to many chemicals, which makes it suitable for many industrial applications.

Thermal conductivity: Solid carbide has good thermal conductivity, which makes it very useful in applications such as metalworking and welding.

Corrosion resistance: Solid carbide is resistant to corrosion and can also be used in humid or aggressive environments.

Low friction: Solid carbide has low friction and can therefore be used in applications where friction must be minimized.

Because of these properties, solid carbide is often used in industry, in particular for tools and components that are exposed to high loads.

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What are the disadvantages of solid carbide? 

Despite its many advantages, solid carbide also has some disadvantages that should be considered when using it:

brittleness: Solid carbide can break or crack under heavy loads due to its hardness and brittleness. This can cause tools or components to fail suddenly and unexpectedly.

Difficult processing: Solid carbide is difficult to machine, cut, or shape due to its hardness and brittleness. This can make it difficult and expensive to produce tools and components made of solid carbide.

High price: Solid carbide is relatively expensive compared to other materials due to its high hardness and the materials used (mainly tungsten and cobalt).

Not suitable for all applications: Due to its properties, solid carbide is not suitable for all applications. For example, due to its brittleness and difficulty in machining, it may be unsuitable in applications that require high bending loads.

Environmental Impacts: Tungsten carbide, the main component of solid carbide, is a limited resource whose mining and processing can have negative effects on the environment.

It is important to consider these drawbacks when using solid carbide and to carefully consider whether it is suitable for a particular application.

How is solid carbide produced?

Solid carbide is produced by powder metallurgy, which consists of several steps:

1. Preparation of the starting powders: The starting powders are made from tungsten carbide (WC) and cobalt powder (Co). The particle size and composition of the powders are selected according to the requirements of the end product.

2. Mixing powder: The WC and Co powders are mixed thoroughly to obtain a homogeneous mixture. In some cases, other powders or additives are also added to improve certain properties of the final product.

3. Press: The powder mixture is pressed into a mold to produce the desired shape of the end product. A high pressure (typically 100 to 200 MPa) is usually used to firmly bond the particles.

4. Sintering: The pressed parts are sintered at high temperatures (typically 1,400 to 1,600 °C) under controlled conditions. During the sintering process, the cobalt melts and envelops the toilet particles to form a dense and homogeneous structure. The sintering process also increases the hardness and strength of the solid hard metal.

5. Post-processing: The parts ready for sintering are reworked to achieve the desired shape and surface quality. This may include grinding, polishing, or coating.

The end product is a very hard, wear-resistant and durable material that can be used for a wide range of applications, particularly for tools and components that are exposed to high loads.

How is solid carbide disposed of?

Due to its hardness and brittleness, solid carbide is a difficult material to process that cannot simply be recycled or reused. Therefore, it is important to properly dispose of solid carbide waste to prevent potential environmental and health problems.

Solid carbide is usually disposed of by specialized recycling companies, which collect and process the material. These companies can either melt down the solid carbide and integrate it into new products, or crush it into smaller particles and reuse it as a starting material for other products.

It is important to separate solid carbide waste from other waste streams to avoid contamination of recyclable materials. Solid carbide waste should also not be disposed of in household waste or runoff, as this can cause damage to the environment and wastewater infrastructure.

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