3D printing in Tungsten Carbide

Cemented carbide is an extremely hard composite made of equal parts tungsten and carbon. The result is a ceramic type material, sometimes cobalt is added to form an extremely hard metal composite (WC CO)

Cemented carbide

About Tungsten Carbide

Tungsten carbide is called a cermet, which is a compound of a ceramic phase (WC) and a binder metal (Co). Tungsten carbide is characterised by a very high hardness and wear resistance. This results in an excellent service life of the components and tools. It is a good electrical and thermal conductor. Due to the magnetic binders (cobalt or nickel), the cermet is also magnetic. Tungsten carbide can be soldered or glued to other components. Screw connections are also possible. The properties of the material depend on the mixing ratio of WC to binder, but also on the particle size of the WC particles. Tungsten Carbide Cobalt can be 3D printed using Binder Jetting technology.

Examples of applications are cutting tools and other wear resistant machine parts and tools such as saw blades, drill bits, bearings, high pressure nozzles, pistons and welding equipment.

Strengths

✦ Non-magnetic

✦ High temperature and chemical resitance

✦ Outstanding wear resistance

✦ Hard and stiff material

✦ High electrical and thermal conductivity.

Weaknesses

✧ Expensive

✧ Brittle

common applications of tungsten carbide

– Cutting tools, saws and drill bits

– Welding equipment

– Nozzles for 3D printers

available technologies on our tungsten carbide 3d print service

BINDER JETTING

Binder Jetting

characteristics of tungsten carbide

Binder Jetting

Max. Bed Size (mm)

160 x 65 x 65 mm

Max. Bed Size (in)

6.3 x 2.5 x 2.5 in

Layer Height


30-200 μm

Print resolution

30 μm voxels

Smoothness

★★★★☆

Flexibility

★☆☆☆☆

Rigidity

★★★★★

Biocompatible

Yes

Food Safe

No

Watertight

Not tested

Recyclable

No

General technical data for Tungsten Carbide Cobalt (WC-CO)

Density

4-8 g/cm3

Melting Point

2867 °C

Boiling Point

6000 °C

UTS

Not tested

Hardness

1550 Vickers

* These values are meant to give a general idea of the material. Actual values may vary according to chosen material brand, 3D print service and build condition. Please refer to the Beamler online quoting platform for actual technical data of each material brand. 

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