Tungsten carbide is a compound of two elements put together to form a new metal. Recently, it has seen a growth in popularity in the industrial world as more people are using it instead of traditional metals. It is an incredibly versatile and useful material, but what makes it better than other metals? We’re going to look at some of the answers below.
Strength
Tungsten carbide is a very hard material. It has been projected as falling somewhere between 8.5 and 9 on the Moh’s hardness scale, just behind diamonds. This makes it a valuable metal with many different applications. A tungsten carbide drill can be incredibly tough against jobs that would cause other metal drill bits to become dull and break.
To compare, steel has three times less rigidity than tungsten. This rigidity makes tungsten stronger than both steel and titanium. Tungsten is extremely durable and can stand up to a lot of punishment in whatever job it is used. Whether it be tungsten powder or tungsten carbide inserts, this compound can get the job done.
Recycling
In addition to its strength, tungsten can also easily be recycled and used again for many, many years. Tungsten carbide scrap is collected, melted down, and then reformed better than other metals, which have the potential to be damaged or lost during the process. Other metals tend to lose their integrity or become far too damaged to salvage, leading to more waste. Many companies are more than willing to purchase tungsten scrap at a very reasonable price, leaving you with less waste and a smaller carbon footprint.
Tungsten’s strength plays a big part in its recycling value. Its toughness guarantees a long life already, but when it’s recycled, there is no loss of durability in the carbide recycling materials. Unlike metal, it remains strong through all of its uses, allowing it to be recycled again and again. Most every other metal will eventually break down. Because tungsten is a compound and not a natural metal, it does not have this weakness.
Tungsten has proven its superiority over other metals in the industrial field time and time again. Its long lasting strength and versatility make carbide recycling materials one of the most valuable compounds out there. The next time someone boasts about a steel cutter or titanium drill bit, remind them that they could do better.
For more information about carbide recycling materials, please visit www.tungco.com