| Tungsten Carbide is a hard, brittle ceramic which, when combined with 6% to 10% Cobalt, forms a tough Cermet (Ceramic-Metal). This material was developed for use in cutting tools, having hard ceramic crystals of a few microns in size within a ductile metal matrix. The resulting material can withstand the high compressive stresses imposed during cutting, as well as having good wear and oxidation resistance at the high temperatures reached. Tungsten Carbide/ Cobalt has a high resistance to thermal shock, so is able to withstand the rapid temperature fluctuations. Also, this has found a use as electrodes for Electrode Discharge Machining. Information provided by Goodfellow. |
