Preparation Technologies of Tungsten Carbide Powder

Tungsten carbide (WC) powder is a core raw material for manufacturing high-performance materials such as cemented carbides, wear-resistant coatings, and cutting tools. Its purity, particle size, morphology, and dispersibility directly determine the performance of downstream products. Currently, the preparation technologies commonly used in industrial production and laboratories can be divided into two major categories: traditional preparation technologies and advanced preparation technologies. There are significant differences in the principles, process characteristics, and application scenarios of various technologies, with detailed explanations as follows:

1. Traditional Preparation Technologies (Mainstream in Industrialization)

Traditional technologies are centered on the principle of "carbothermal reduction". With mature processes and low costs, they are currently the primary methods for mass-producing tungsten carbide...

Raw Material for Mincheng Cemented Carbide Production: Preparation of Tungsten Carbide Powder

It is an iron-gray fine cubic crystalline powder with a Mohs hardness of over 9.5 and a melting point of approximately 5,400°F (2,982°C). It is produced by the reaction of hydrocarbon vapor with tungsten at high temperatures. Its composition is WC, but it can decompose into W₂C (tungsten subcarbide) and carbon when strongly heated; therefore, its carbide form may be a mixture of these two. Other forms of carbides, such as W₃C and W₄C, can also be formed.

Tungsten carbide is mainly used in tool tips, heat-resistant and wear-resistant components, and also as a surface coating. The first patent for pressing tungsten carbide into usable shapes originated in Germany, and Krupp Works was the first to produce products under the name "Widia Metal". Its preparation involves diffusing powdered cobalt into ultra-fine carbide powder under hydraulic pressure, followed by sintering and shaping at approximately 1,500°C in an inert atmosphere. The shaped material is ground into a specific form and then brazed onto tools. These tools can withstand cutting speeds 3 to 10 times higher than those of high-speed steel, and can turn manganese steel with a Brinell hardness (HB) of up to 550, though they are not impact-resistant.

Pressed and sintered components typically contain 3% to 20% cobalt as a binder, but nickel can also be used as a binder. Their compressive strength can be as high as 700,000 lb/in² (4,823 MPa), and their fracture strength is 200,000 lb/in² (1,378 MPa) or higher.

Key Translation Notes for Technical Accuracy:

1. Unit Consistency: Converted temperature units (5,400°F/2,982°C) and retained industrial-standard units (lb/in² for pressure, HB for hardness) to align with international trade conventions.

2. Specialized Terms: Adopted industry-recognized translations, e.g., "莫氏硬度" → "Mohs hardness", "铜焊" → "brazed", "惰性气氛" → "inert atmosphere", "粘合剂" → "binder".

3. Proper Nouns: Preserved brand/company names ("Krupp Works", "Widia Metal") and patent-related references to maintain historical and technical authenticity.

4. Chemical Formulas: Standardized carbide formulas (WC, W₂C, W₃C, W₄C) to avoid ambiguity in material composition.