Frequently Asked Questions

Tungsten carbide is a particularly hard and wear-resistant material, mainly consisting of tungsten carbide particles and a metallic binder. It is used wherever conventional materials would wear too quickly due to friction, pressure or abrasive stress.

Tungsten carbide can often be identified by its high weight, very hard surface and grey to metallic appearance. However, reliable identification requires technical testing, such as density, hardness, magnetism or a detailed material analysis.

Tungsten carbide is produced using powder metallurgy. Fine powders are mixed, pressed into shape and then sintered at high temperatures to create a dense and highly resistant material.

Yes, Rotodur AG manufactures tungsten carbide parts not only in series, but also as individual parts in batch size 1. This is particularly interesting for prototypes, spare parts, trials or custom-made special components based on customer drawings.

Tungsten carbide is significantly harder and more wear-resistant than steel, but less tough and elastic. Steel is better suited for load-bearing or impact-stressed components, while tungsten carbide shows its strengths in applications involving wear, precision and high compressive loads.

Tungsten carbide is very hard, but usually tougher and mechanically more robust than technical ceramic. Ceramic can offer advantages at high temperatures or under chemical stress, while tungsten carbide is often the better choice when wear resistance and mechanical strength are both required.

In wear-intensive applications, tungsten carbide often lasts significantly longer than steel or other standard materials. This can extend service life, reduce downtime and make processes more economical.

Tungsten carbide is used for components that must withstand high wear, pressure or friction. Typical applications include cutting tools, punches, dies, nozzles, guides, wear parts and precision special components.

Tungsten carbide is used in many industrial sectors, including mechanical engineering, toolmaking, medical technology, the watch industry, the automotive industry, the food industry and the packaging industry. It is especially important wherever long service life, high precision and low wear are required.

Tungsten carbide is also used in places where you would not expect it at first glance. Examples include ballpoint pens, winter tyre studs, watch components, textile machines, food processing systems and medical precision tools. The reason is usually the same: tungsten carbide withstands wear, friction and high loads for a particularly long time.

The main advantages of tungsten carbide are high hardness, excellent wear resistance, high compressive strength and good dimensional stability. This makes the material particularly suitable for durable and precise components in demanding industrial applications.

Tungsten carbide can be slightly magnetic depending on its composition, especially when cobalt is used as the binder. The magnetic properties depend on the specific tungsten carbide grade and binder content.

Tungsten carbide does not rust like ordinary steel, but it can corrode depending on its composition and environment. In humid conditions, aggressive media or chemical exposure, choosing the right tungsten carbide grade is important.

Yes, tungsten carbide is electrically conductive. This property is important for machining processes such as wire EDM and sinker EDM.

Yes, tungsten carbide can be coated to further improve properties such as wear resistance, friction behaviour or service life. Depending on the application, different coatings are used, for example for tools or heavily stressed wear parts.