ABSTRACT

This class of materials should correctly be called cemented carbide, but is usually simply termed “tungsten carbide.” We will use this expression throughout this book and abbreviate it as “TC” to distinguish it from pure tungsten carbide (WC) which is its principal constituent. It denotes a composite (hence an inhomogeneous) material made of tungsten carbide grains and a metal binder, in general Co, and in some cases Ni. Cemented tungsten carbide is used in high pressure devices for its exceptional compression strength, its relative incompressibility (high Young modulus), and its resistance to wear. Typical applications in high pressure devices are:

• Anvils and backing plates (multi-anvil and opposed anvil devices, belts, and Drickamer cells)

• Pistons in piston-cylinder cells, in particular clamp-type devices • Liners in piston-cylinder cells, girdles, and belt-type cells

Pressure

TABLE 4.1 Structural and physical properties of pure WC.