Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-11-03 Origin: Site
What's The Difference Between Tungsten And Tungsten Carbide?
Most people will confuse tungsten and tungsten carbide, as tungsten carbide is the most widely understood form of tungsten available. However, there are some niche use cases for its pure form, and this section will contrast tungsten and tungsten carbide to illustrate how they differ. Below, in Table 1, is shown several mechanical properties of each material, and their comparison should give readers a better idea as to when to implement one material over the other. Note that tungsten carbide (WC) is used for this comparison, but more alloys exist.
Material properties | Tungsten | Tungsten Carbide | ||
Units | Metric | English | Metric | English |
Modulus of Elasticity | 400 GPa | 58000 ksi | 669-696 GPa | 97000-100000 ksi |
Shear Modulus | 156 GPa | 22600 ksi | 260-298 GPa | 37700-43220 ksi |
Tensile Yield strength | 350 MPa | 50800 psi | 140 MPa | 20300 psi |
Thermal Conductivity | 163.3 W/m-K | 1133 BTU-in/hr-ft²-°F | 28-88 W/m-K | 194-610 BTU-in/hr-ft²-°F |
Hardness (Rockwell A) | 66 | 90 |
While pure tungsten does not have the toughness of its alloys, tungsten carbide does not have the unique physical properties of its pure form, making these materials equally useful. Understanding what kind of specifications are needed for your project is necessary before choosing between tungsten and tungsten carbide, as they are both specialized for different applications. As always, a conversation with your supplier will provide you with the best knowledge on which to use, or if there is a less expensive option worth consideration.