Tungsten carbide (cemented carbide) WC

spore: profile
id: tungsten-carbide
spore_version: '0.2'
family: refractory-metals
name: Tungsten carbide (cemented carbide)
abbreviation: WC
role: wear-resistant hard phase, held together by a cobalt binder
category: metals
type: refractory-metals
summary: Cemented carbide, also called hardmetal, is tungsten carbide (WC) grains held together by a cobalt binder. ITIA says hardmetals are used for metal machining, rock drilling, wood and plastic cutting, and in wear parts, and Wikipedia says cemented carbides are used extensively for cutting tools. Hardness and density depend on the cobalt content and the grain size, so each value here is tied to one grade. For the metal itself, see the [tungsten profile](/profiles/tungsten/).
best_for: Cutting and wear parts where hardness matters most (less cobalt, fine grain), and mining drill bits and crusher parts, which Hyperion's mining table lists in 6 percent cobalt grades
weakest_at: 'Toughness: Hyperion ties high toughness to 10 to 20 percent binder and high hardness to sub-micron grains with 3 to 15 percent binder. The dust carries a cobalt and hardmetal health hazard and a rare fire risk (Sandvik SDS).'
identity:
  formula: WC (tungsten monocarbide), cemented with a cobalt (Co) binder
  cas: 12070-12-1
  source: pubchem-wc
  where: PubChem CID 2724274 (title Tungsten carbide, formula record CW, molecular weight 195.85 g/mol); CAS 12070-12-1 from the Sandvik SDS section 3; W 183.84 g/mol from PubChem CID 23964; C 12.011 g/mol from PubChem CID 5462310
tags:
  environments: []
  stresses: []
  applications:
    - in-space-manufacturing
    - rovers-and-surface-systems
    - mechanisms
properties:
  - benchmark: density
    value: 14.8
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: H6T
      wc_wt_percent: 94
      cobalt_wt_percent: 6
      wc_grain_size: not printed
      iso_class: not printed
      temperature: not printed
      basis: typical value, per the page note
    method: Carbide roll grade table, Density column, as printed; the page says all data shown are typical values
    status: ground
    source: hyperion-rolls
    where: Tungsten Carbide Grade Data table, row H6T, Density (g/cm 3) column (14.8)
  - benchmark: vickers_hardness
    value: 1350
    unit: HV30
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: H6T
      wc_wt_percent: 94
      cobalt_wt_percent: 6
      wc_grain_size: not printed
      iso_class: not printed
      test_temperature_c: 20
      basis: typical value, per the page note
    method: Carbide roll grade table, Hardness at 20 °C, HV30 column, as printed
    status: ground
    source: hyperion-rolls
    where: Tungsten Carbide Grade Data table, row H6T, HV30 column (1350)
  - benchmark: rockwell_a_hardness
    value: 90
    unit: HRA
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: H6T
      wc_wt_percent: 94
      cobalt_wt_percent: 6
      wc_grain_size: not printed
      iso_class: not printed
      test_temperature_c: 20
      basis: typical value, per the page note
    method: Carbide roll grade table, Hardness at 20 °C, HRA column, as printed (90.0)
    status: ground
    source: hyperion-rolls
    where: Tungsten Carbide Grade Data table, row H6T, HRA column (90.0)
  - benchmark: density
    value: 15
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: H6P
      wc_wt_percent: 94
      cobalt_wt_percent: 6
      wc_grain_size: Coarse (printed word, no micrometre value)
      iso_class: not printed
      temperature: not printed
      typical_application: Mining drill bits
      basis: typical value, per the page note
    method: Mining Grade Properties table, Density (g/cm 3) column, as printed; the page says all data shown are typical values
    status: ground
    source: hyperion-mining
    where: Mining Grade Properties table, row H6P, Density 15.0 g/cm 3
  - benchmark: vickers_hardness
    value: 1340
    unit: HV30
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: H6P
      wc_wt_percent: 94
      cobalt_wt_percent: 6
      wc_grain_size: Coarse (printed word, no micrometre value)
      iso_class: not printed
      test_temperature_c: not printed
      typical_application: Mining drill bits
      basis: typical value, per the page note
    method: Mining Grade Properties table, Hardness (HV30) column, as printed
    status: ground
    source: hyperion-mining
    where: Mining Grade Properties table, row H6P, HV30 column (1,340)
  - benchmark: density
    value: 14.9
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: PM06
      wc_wt_percent: 94
      cobalt_wt_percent: 6
      wc_grain_size: Normal (printed word, no micrometre value)
      iso_class: not printed
      temperature: not printed
      typical_application: Mining drill bits
      basis: typical value, per the page note
    method: Mining Grade Properties table, Density (g/cm 3) column, as printed; the page says all data shown are typical values
    status: ground
    source: hyperion-mining
    where: Mining Grade Properties table, row PM06, Density 14.9 g/cm 3
  - benchmark: vickers_hardness
    value: 1440
    unit: HV30
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: PM06
      wc_wt_percent: 94
      cobalt_wt_percent: 6
      wc_grain_size: Normal (printed word, no micrometre value)
      iso_class: not printed
      test_temperature_c: not printed
      typical_application: Mining drill bits
      basis: typical value, per the page note
    method: Mining Grade Properties table, Hardness (HV30) column, as printed
    status: ground
    source: hyperion-mining
    where: Mining Grade Properties table, row PM06, HV30 column (1,440)
  - benchmark: density
    value: 14.9
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: PS06
      wc_wt_percent: 94
      cobalt_wt_percent: 6
      wc_grain_size: Coarse (printed word, no micrometre value)
      iso_class: not printed
      temperature: not printed
      typical_application: Mining drill bits
      basis: typical value, per the page note
    method: Mining Grade Properties table, Density (g/cm 3) column, as printed; the page says all data shown are typical values
    status: ground
    source: hyperion-mining
    where: Mining Grade Properties table, row PS06, Density 14.9 g/cm 3
  - benchmark: vickers_hardness
    value: 1300
    unit: HV30
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: PS06
      wc_wt_percent: 94
      cobalt_wt_percent: 6
      wc_grain_size: Coarse (printed word, no micrometre value)
      iso_class: not printed
      test_temperature_c: not printed
      typical_application: Mining drill bits
      basis: typical value, per the page note
    method: Mining Grade Properties table, Hardness (HV30) column, as printed
    status: ground
    source: hyperion-mining
    where: Mining Grade Properties table, row PS06, HV30 column (1,300)
  - benchmark: density
    value: 14.9
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: H6N
      wc_wt_percent: 94
      cobalt_wt_percent: 6
      wc_grain_size: Normal (printed word, no micrometre value)
      iso_class: not printed
      temperature: not printed
      typical_application: Crusher parts
      basis: typical value, per the page note
    method: Mining Grade Properties table, Density (g/cm 3) column, as printed; the page says all data shown are typical values
    status: ground
    source: hyperion-mining
    where: Mining Grade Properties table, row H6N, Density 14.9 g/cm 3
  - benchmark: vickers_hardness
    value: 1605
    unit: HV30
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: H6N
      wc_wt_percent: 94
      cobalt_wt_percent: 6
      wc_grain_size: Normal (printed word, no micrometre value)
      iso_class: not printed
      test_temperature_c: not printed
      typical_application: Crusher parts
      basis: typical value, per the page note
    method: Mining Grade Properties table, Hardness (HV30) column, as printed
    status: ground
    source: hyperion-mining
    where: Mining Grade Properties table, row H6N, HV30 column (1,605)
  - benchmark: density
    value: 14.4
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: PN10
      wc_wt_percent: 90
      cobalt_wt_percent: 10
      wc_grain_size: Coarse (printed word, no micrometre value)
      iso_class: not printed
      temperature: not printed
      typical_application: HPGR studs
      basis: typical value, per the page note
    method: Mining Grade Properties table, Density (g/cm 3) column, as printed; the page says all data shown are typical values
    status: ground
    source: hyperion-mining
    where: Mining Grade Properties table, row PN10, Density 14.4 g/cm 3
  - benchmark: vickers_hardness
    value: 1200
    unit: HV30
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: PN10
      wc_wt_percent: 90
      cobalt_wt_percent: 10
      wc_grain_size: Coarse (printed word, no micrometre value)
      iso_class: not printed
      test_temperature_c: not printed
      typical_application: HPGR studs
      basis: typical value, per the page note
    method: Mining Grade Properties table, Hardness (HV30) column, as printed
    status: ground
    source: hyperion-mining
    where: Mining Grade Properties table, row PN10, HV30 column (1,200)
  - benchmark: density
    value: 15.6
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: pure WC compound (no binder)
      cobalt_wt_percent: 0
      wc_grain_size: not applicable (compound page)
      temperature: not printed
    method: WebQC compound page, Density row, as printed (15.6000 g/cm3); aggregator page with no primary reference
    status: ground
    source: webqc-wc
    where: Compound properties table, Density row (15.6000 g/cm3)
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    value: 530
    value_high: 700
    bound: range
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: pure WC compound (no binder)
      cobalt_wt_percent: 0
      temperature: not printed
    method: WebQC text gives Young's modulus as a range, 530-700 GPa; aggregator page with no primary reference
    status: ground
    source: webqc-wc
    where: Mechanical properties paragraph (Young's modulus 530-700 GPa)
  - benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    value: 110
    unit: W/(m·K)
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: pure WC compound (no binder)
      cobalt_wt_percent: 0
      temperature: room temperature, as printed
    method: 'WebQC text: thermal conductivity 110 W/(m·K) at room temperature; aggregator page with no primary reference'
    status: ground
    source: webqc-wc
    where: Thermal properties paragraph (110 W/(m·K) at room temperature)
  - benchmark: cte
    value: 5.5
    unit: μm/(m·K)
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: pure WC compound (no binder)
      cobalt_wt_percent: 0
      temperature: not printed
    method: 'WebQC text: coefficient of thermal expansion 5.5 μm/(m·K), temperature not printed; aggregator page with no primary reference'
    status: ground
    source: webqc-wc
    where: Thermal properties paragraph (5.5 μm/(m·K))
  - benchmark: vickers_hardness
    value: 2600
    unit: HV
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: pure WC compound (no binder)
      cobalt_wt_percent: 0
      temperature: not printed
    method: 'WebQC text: Vickers hardness number of approximately 2600, printed as approximate; aggregator page with no primary reference'
    status: ground
    note: Printed as approximately 2600 on the page.
    source: webqc-wc
    where: Mechanical properties paragraph (approximately 2600)
  - benchmark: compressive_strength
    value: 2.7
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: pure WC compound (no binder)
      cobalt_wt_percent: 0
      temperature: not printed
    method: 'WebQC text: ultimate compression strength of approximately 2.7 GPa, printed as approximate; aggregator page with no primary reference'
    status: ground
    note: Printed as approximately 2.7 GPa. Compressive strength is not a canonical property name.
    source: webqc-wc
    where: Mechanical properties paragraph (ultimate compression strength)
  - benchmark: cte
    value: 4.4
    unit: 10-6/°C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: not printed (cemented tungsten carbide with 5.9 percent cobalt)
      cobalt_wt_percent: 5.9
      wc_grain_size: not stated in the abstract
      iso_class: not printed
      temperature_range_c: 20 to 60
      unit_in_source: X 10-6 per degree centigrade
    method: 'Hidnert 1937, Abstract: average coefficient of linear expansion for 5.9 percent cobalt from 20 to 60 °C, printed as 4.4 X 10-6 per degree centigrade (the same as ppm/K)'
    status: ground
    source: nist-hidnert-1937
    where: Abstract, RP960, p. 47 (first statement on 5.9 percent cobalt)
  - benchmark: cte
    value: 5.9
    unit: 10-6/°C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: not printed (cemented tungsten carbide with 5.9 percent cobalt)
      cobalt_wt_percent: 5.9
      wc_grain_size: not stated in the abstract
      iso_class: not printed
      temperature_range_c: 300 to 400
      unit_in_source: X 10-6 per degree centigrade
    method: 'Hidnert 1937, Abstract: average coefficient of linear expansion for 5.9 percent cobalt from 300 to 400 °C, printed as 5.9 X 10-6 per degree centigrade (the same as ppm/K)'
    status: ground
    source: nist-hidnert-1937
    where: Abstract, RP960, p. 47 (first statement on 5.9 percent cobalt)
  - benchmark: cte
    value: 5
    unit: 10-6/°C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: not printed (cemented tungsten carbide, about 13 percent cobalt, not WC-12Co)
      cobalt_wt_percent: 12.9 to 13.2
      wc_grain_size: not stated in the abstract
      iso_class: not printed
      temperature_range_c: 20 to 60
      unit_in_source: X 10-6 per degree centigrade
    method: 'Hidnert 1937, Abstract: average coefficient of linear expansion for three samples with 12.9 to 13.2 percent cobalt from 20 to 60 °C, printed as 5.0 X 10-6 per degree centigrade'
    status: ground
    source: nist-hidnert-1937
    where: Abstract, RP960, p. 47 (second statement, 12.9 to 13.2 percent cobalt)
  - benchmark: cte
    value: 6.7
    unit: 10-6/°C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: not printed (cemented tungsten carbide, about 13 percent cobalt, not WC-12Co)
      cobalt_wt_percent: 12.9 to 13.2
      wc_grain_size: not stated in the abstract
      iso_class: not printed
      temperature_range_c: 300 to 400
      unit_in_source: X 10-6 per degree centigrade
    method: 'Hidnert 1937, Abstract: average coefficient of linear expansion for three samples with 12.9 to 13.2 percent cobalt from 300 to 400 °C, printed as 6.7 X 10-6 per degree centigrade'
    status: ground
    source: nist-hidnert-1937
    where: Abstract, RP960, p. 47 (second statement, 12.9 to 13.2 percent cobalt)
corrosion:
  - environment: Acids and oxidizing agents (storage)
    headline: The SDS says to store away from acids and oxidizing agents.
    effect: Sandvik SDS section 7.2 says to store under dry and cool conditions away from incompatible materials, named as acids and oxidizing agents. Section 10.5 of the same SDS lists no known incompatible materials, so the storage advice is the cautious reading. No concentrations or temperatures are given.
    rating: unknown
    conditions:
      basis: qualitative storage advice; no concentrations or temperatures given
    source: sandvik-sds
    where: Section 7.2 (storage) and section 10.5 (incompatible materials)
  - environment: Air (cobalt binder)
    headline: One PubChem record says cobalt corrodes readily in air.
    effect: PubChem's stability entry for cobalt says 'Corrodes readily in air.' It cites Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 16th edition, p. 347, and gives no temperature, humidity or time. The same entry also says 'Stable under recommended storage conditions.'
    rating: unknown
    conditions:
      basis: qualitative statement from a handbook entry; no temperature, humidity or exposure time
    source: pubchem-co-stab
    where: Stability/Shelf Life section, CID 104730
  - environment: Abrasion from rock and metal (wear parts)
    headline: High abrasion resistance is the reason for the wear uses.
    effect: ITIA says the high abrasion resistance of hardmetal is used in wear parts for tunnel boring, road construction and agriculture. No wear rate is printed in the fetched sources.
    rating: unknown
    conditions:
      basis: qualitative statement; no test or wear rate given
    source: itia-apps
    where: Tungsten carbide products section (ITIA applications page)
risks:
  hazards:
    - text: 'Cobalt: PubChem''s aggregated GHS record lists H317 (allergic skin reaction), H334 (breathing difficulties if inhaled), H341 (suspected of causing genetic defects), H350 (may cause cancer), H360F (may damage fertility) and H413 (long-lasting harmful effects to aquatic life). Signal words Danger and Warning are printed as in the record.'
      ghs:
        - H317
        - H334
        - H341
        - H350
        - H360F
        - H413
      source: pubchem-co-ghs
      where: GHS Classification, ECHA aggregated, CID 104730
    - text: 'Cemented carbide blank with 3% to 10% cobalt (Sandvik SDS): signal word Danger. Section 2.1 lists H330, H350i, H372, H361f, H334, H317, H400 and H411; section 2.2 labels H410 for the aquatic hazard. The SDS covers only that cobalt range.'
      ghs:
        - H330
        - H350i
        - H372
        - H361f
        - H334
        - H317
        - H400
        - H411
      source: sandvik-sds
      where: Sections 2.1 and 2.2 (classification and label), product name in section 1.1
    - text: Tungsten carbide itself is not classified under GHS in this SDS. The hazards come from the cobalt and from the dust.
      ghs: []
      source: sandvik-sds
      where: Section 3 (composition), tungsten carbide row, CAS 12070-12-1
    - text: 'Dust: chronic inhalation of hardmetal powder or dust may cause lasting respiratory disease, including occupational asthma and interstitial lung fibrosis. Hardmetal powders may cause an allergic skin reaction.'
      ghs: []
      source: sandvik-sds
      where: Section 4.2 (most important symptoms and effects)
  failure_risks:
    - mode: Dust fire or explosion
      trigger: Rare conditions of particle size, dispersion and concentration, with a strong ignition source
      consequence: Tungsten carbide and cobalt powders or dusts may present a fire or explosion hazard.
      severity: moderate
      source: sandvik-sds
      where: Section 5.2 (special hazards arising from the substance)
  side_effects: []
  handling:
    - text: Do not breathe dust (P260, section 2.2). Avoid skin and eye contact, and the formation and accumulation of dust (section 6.1 and section 10.4).
      source: sandvik-sds
      where: Section 2.2 (P260), section 6.1 and section 10.4
    - text: Clean up by vacuuming through a filter, or by wet clean-up, which avoid raising dust (section 6.3).
      source: sandvik-sds
      where: Section 6.3 (methods for containment and cleaning up)
    - text: Wear protective gloves, goggles and a dust respirator as section 8 sets out (P280, section 2.2).
      source: sandvik-sds
      where: Section 2.2 (P280) and section 8
  mitigations:
    - text: Ensure adequate ventilation and, if necessary, exhaust ventilation when handling or transferring the material (section 7.1).
      source: sandvik-sds
      where: Section 7.1 (precautions for safe handling)
    - text: Engineering controls may include local ventilation systems with dust filters (section 8.2).
      source: sandvik-sds
      where: Section 8.2 (exposure controls)
    - text: Use respiratory protection as appropriate, for example P-series particle filters (section 8.2).
      source: sandvik-sds
      where: Section 8.2 (exposure controls, respiratory protection)
uses:
  - application: in-space-manufacturing
    device: Metal-machining cutting tools
    example: ITIA says hardmetals are used for metal machining, rock drilling, wood and plastic cutting.
    source: itia-apps
    where: Tungsten carbide products section (ITIA applications page)
  - application: rovers-and-surface-systems
    device: Mining drill bits and rock drilling tools
    example: Hyperion lists H6P, PM06 and PS06 (6 percent binder) for mining drill bits, H6N for crusher parts and PN10 for HPGR studs.
    source: hyperion-mining
    where: Typical Application column, Mining Grade Properties table
  - application: mechanisms
    device: Wear parts for tunnel boring, road construction and agriculture
    example: ITIA says the high abrasion resistance of hardmetal is used in wear parts for tunnel boring, road construction, agriculture and many more applications.
    source: itia-apps
    where: Tungsten carbide products section (ITIA applications page)
supply:
  - subject: Tungsten, mine output (2025, USGS MCS 2026)
    abundance: USGS gives no crustal abundance figure. Shares are computed from the printed 2025 tonnes of contained tungsten over the printed world total of 85,000 t.
    producers:
      - country: China
        share_percent: 78.8
        year: 2025
      - country: Vietnam
        share_percent: 3.5
        year: 2025
      - country: Kazakhstan
        share_percent: 2.8
        year: 2025
      - country: Russia
        share_percent: 2.4
        year: 2025
      - country: Korea, North
        share_percent: 2.4
        year: 2025
      - country: Bolivia
        share_percent: 2
        year: 2025
    critical_lists: []
    recycling: USGS withholds the 2025 secondary tungsten quantity to avoid disclosing company data, so no recycling share is given.
    substitutes:
      - Cemented carbides based on molybdenum carbide, niobium carbide or titanium carbide, ceramics, cermets and tool steels. USGS says most of these reduce rather than replace the tungsten used.
    source: usgs-tungsten
    where: World Mine Production and Reserves table, 2025 column; Recycling and Substitutes paragraphs
  - subject: Tungsten reserves and trade (USGS MCS 2026)
    abundance: 'China holds 2,500,000 t of tungsten reserves out of more than 4,700,000 t world total (about 53 percent, computed). US net import reliance is more than 50 percent. Import sources 2021 to 2024: China 26 percent, Germany 14 percent, Bolivia 8 percent, Vietnam 8 percent. China added export controls on selected tungsten items in February 2025, and Rotterdam APT rose from $331 to $675 per metric ton unit during 2025.'
    producers: []
    critical_lists: []
    source: usgs-tungsten
    where: World Mine Production and Reserves table; Net import reliance table; Import Sources and Events paragraphs
  - subject: Tungsten carbide share of tungsten use (ITIA)
    abundance: ITIA says tungsten carbide products represent almost two-thirds (65 percent) of total global tungsten consumption.
    producers: []
    critical_lists: []
    source: itia-apps
    where: Tungsten Carbide Products section (ITIA applications page)
  - subject: Cobalt, mine output (2025, USGS MCS 2026)
    abundance: Identified world terrestrial cobalt resources are about 25 million tons, mostly in Congo (Kinshasa) and Zambia. Reserves total 12,000,000 t in the USGS table. USGS says Congo (Kinshasa) replaced a February 2025 export ban with export quotas of up to 96,600 tons a year for 2026 and 2027.
    producers:
      - country: Congo (Kinshasa)
        share_percent: 73
        year: 2025
      - country: Indonesia
        share_percent: 14
        year: 2025
    critical_lists: []
    recycling: In 2025, cobalt content of purchased scrap was 25 percent of estimated cobalt consumption (USGS).
    substitutes:
      - USGS says that, depending on the application, substitution for cobalt could result in a loss in product performance.
    source: usgs-cobalt
    where: Events, Trends, and Issues paragraph; World Mine Production and Reserves table; Recycling and Substitutes paragraphs
  - subject: Cobalt imports (USGS, 2021 to 2024)
    abundance: 'Metal, oxide and salts: Norway 26 percent, Finland 16 percent, Canada 14 percent, Japan 14 percent, other 30 percent.'
    producers: []
    critical_lists: []
    source: usgs-cobalt
    where: Import Sources (2021 to 2024) line
media: []
documents:
  - title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Tungsten'
    type: report
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-tungsten.pdf
    year: 2026
  - title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Cobalt'
    type: report
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-cobalt.pdf
    year: 2026
  - title: 'Hidnert, P.: Thermal expansion of cemented tungsten carbide (NBS Research Paper RP960, J. Research NBS 18, 1937)'
    type: paper
    url: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/jres/18/jresv18n1p47_A1b.pdf
    year: 1937
  - title: 'Sandvik safety data sheet: hardmetal blank containing tungsten carbide and cobalt, 3% to 10% Co (version 4.0)'
    type: sds
    url: https://cdn2.sandvik.coromant.com/files/a53b485b-be0f-019d-8100-3f0d1619b9fa/b16b7cf5-c891-46d0-bbe9-cd0b5934062e/blank-104-2en-us.pdf
  - title: 'Hyperion Materials: Mining Grade Properties'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://hyperionmt.com/ja-jp/products/Mining/grade-properties
  - title: 'Hyperion Materials: Tungsten Carbide Grade Data (rolls)'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.hyperionmt.com/ja-jp/products/Carbide-Rolls/grade-data/
  - title: 'PubChem: Tungsten carbide (CID 2724274)'
    type: database
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/2724274
  - title: 'PubChem: Cobalt (CID 104730)'
    type: database
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/104730
  - title: 'WebQC: Tungsten carbide (WC) compound properties'
    type: database
    url: https://www.webqc.org/compound-WC-WC.html
  - title: 'ITIA: Tungsten applications and markets'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.itia.info/applications-markets/
  - title: 'Wikipedia: Cemented carbide'
    type: database
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cemented_carbide
gaps:
  - 'Transverse rupture strength by grade: no fetched page printed a TRS value for WC-6Co, WC-10Co or WC-12Co. The Stanford Advanced Materials WC-Co datasheet with TRS by grade is a PDF that would not parse in this run, so it is not used.'
  - 'Compressive strength by grade: none printed for a cobalt grade. Only WebQC''s approximate pure-WC value (2.7 GPa) is entered, with the caveat that WebQC is an aggregator.'
  - 'Young''s modulus and thermal conductivity for cobalt grades: none printed in the fetched pages. The only values are WebQC''s pure-WC figures, which have no primary reference.'
  - 'Thermal expansion for WC-10Co and WC-12Co: none printed. The 1937 NIST paper covers 5.9 percent and 12.9 to 13.2 percent cobalt only, so it is not used as a WC-10Co or WC-12Co value.'
  - 'WC-12Co: the Hyperion tables list 6, 9, 10 and 11 percent binder, not 12, so no WC-12Co density or hardness is entered. The 2017 SciELO compilation gives 1748 kgf/mm2 for WC-12Co with no grain size or test load, so it is not entered either.'
  - 'Grain size: the Hyperion tables print grain classes as words (Coarse, Normal, Submicron) with no micrometre value, and the H6T row prints none. No ISO K or C grade class is printed for any row used, so iso_class reads ''not printed''.'
  - Hyperion values are marked as typical values on the page. They are not guaranteed minimums.
  - 'Not used: Hyperion rows with 9 percent binder (H8N, 409, H10C), H10F (WC 90 with binder 11, a total of 101), and the C-grades (C10C to C30T), which use a mixed binder rather than cobalt alone.'
  - 'Pure WC: TotalMateria''s table gives a density for WC that does not match WebQC''s 15.6 g/cm3, so it is not entered. PubChem has no GHS or melting-point record for tungsten carbide (CID 2724274).'
  - 'Critical minerals: neither the USGS 2026 tungsten nor the cobalt summary mentions a critical-minerals list, and no other list was fetched, so critical_lists is empty.'
  - 'Corrosion: no oxidation rate in air and no acid-attack rate for cemented carbide was printed in the fetched pages. The entries are qualitative. The Sandvik SDS storage text (section 7.2) and its incompatibility line (section 10.5) conflict.'
  - The PubChem 'Corrodes readily in air' statement cites Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary and gives no conditions. It is recorded as printed, with no rating.
  - 'Wear: ITIA gives high abrasion resistance without a wear rate, and no numeric wear data were printed in the fetched pages.'
  - 'Side effects: no source was found for risks.side_effects, so the list is empty.'
  - Hazard codes for cobalt contents above 10 percent were not fetched. The Sandvik SDS covers 3 to 10 percent cobalt only.
  - Failure-risk severity is the author's assessment. The source does not print a severity.
  - The NIST values are from 1937, and the samples have no stated grain size.
  - The tungsten profile is linked in text only. Its values were not re-checked for this file.
sources:
  hyperion-rolls:
    title: 'Hyperion Materials: Tungsten Carbide Grade Data (carbide rolls), physical and mechanical properties'
    id: Hyperion Materials and Technologies, carbide roll grade data page
    url: https://www.hyperionmt.com/ja-jp/products/Carbide-Rolls/grade-data/
    kind: datasheet
    license: Manufacturer web page (cited, not reproduced)
  hyperion-mining:
    title: 'Hyperion Materials: Mining Grade Properties'
    id: Hyperion Materials and Technologies, mining grade properties page
    url: https://hyperionmt.com/ja-jp/products/Mining/grade-properties
    kind: datasheet
    license: Manufacturer web page (cited, not reproduced)
  hyperion-wc-co:
    title: 'Hyperion Materials: WC-Co grades of cemented carbide'
    id: Hyperion Materials and Technologies, WC-Co grade overview
    url: https://www.hyperionmt.com/ja-jp/Resources/materials/cemented-carbide/wc-co-grades
    kind: web
    license: Manufacturer web page (cited, not reproduced)
  usgs-tungsten:
    title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Tungsten'
    id: USGS MCS 2026, tungsten
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-tungsten.pdf
    year: 2026
    kind: report
    license: US government work (public domain)
  usgs-cobalt:
    title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Cobalt'
    id: USGS MCS 2026, cobalt
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-cobalt.pdf
    year: 2026
    kind: report
    license: US government work (public domain)
  nist-hidnert-1937:
    title: 'Hidnert, P.: Thermal expansion of cemented tungsten carbide (NBS Research Paper RP960)'
    id: NIST J. Research NBS 18 (RP960), January 1937, p. 47
    url: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/jres/18/jresv18n1p47_A1b.pdf
    year: 1937
    kind: paper
    license: NIST publication (public domain, cited)
  sandvik-sds:
    title: 'Sandvik safety data sheet: hardmetal blank containing tungsten carbide and cobalt, 3% to 10% Co'
    id: Sandvik Coromant SDS, version 4.0
    url: https://cdn2.sandvik.coromant.com/files/a53b485b-be0f-019d-8100-3f0d1619b9fa/b16b7cf5-c891-46d0-bbe9-cd0b5934062e/blank-104-2en-us.pdf
    kind: datasheet
    license: Manufacturer SDS (cited, not reproduced)
  pubchem-wc:
    title: 'PubChem: Tungsten carbide (CID 2724274), formula and molecular weight'
    id: PubChem compound record 2724274
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug/compound/cid/2724274/property/MolecularFormula,MolecularWeight,Title/JSON
    kind: database
    license: Public domain record (cited, not reproduced)
  pubchem-co-ghs:
    title: 'PubChem: Cobalt (CID 104730), GHS classification'
    id: PubChem compound record 104730, GHS Classification
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug_view/data/compound/104730/JSON?heading=GHS%20Classification
    kind: database
    license: Public domain record (cited, not reproduced)
  pubchem-co-stab:
    title: 'PubChem: Cobalt (CID 104730), stability entry'
    id: PubChem compound record 104730, Stability/Shelf Life
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug_view/data/compound/104730/JSON?heading=Stability/Shelf%20Life
    kind: database
    license: Public domain record (cited, not reproduced)
  pubchem-w:
    title: 'PubChem: Tungsten (CID 23964), molecular weight'
    id: PubChem compound record 23964
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug/compound/cid/23964/property/MolecularFormula,MolecularWeight,Title/JSON
    kind: database
    license: Public domain record (cited, not reproduced)
  pubchem-c:
    title: 'PubChem: Carbon (CID 5462310), molecular weight'
    id: PubChem compound record 5462310
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug/compound/cid/5462310/property/MolecularFormula,MolecularWeight,Title/JSON
    kind: database
    license: Public domain record (cited, not reproduced)
  webqc-wc:
    title: 'WebQC: Tungsten carbide (WC) compound properties'
    id: WebQC compound page for WC
    url: https://www.webqc.org/compound-WC-WC.html
    kind: web
    license: Website (cited, not reproduced)
  wikipedia-cc:
    title: 'Wikipedia: Cemented carbide'
    id: Wikipedia, Cemented carbide article
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cemented_carbide
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (cited, not reproduced)
  itia-apps:
    title: 'ITIA: Tungsten applications and markets'
    id: International Tungsten Industry Association, applications page
    url: https://www.itia.info/applications-markets/
    kind: web
    license: ITIA website (cited, not reproduced)
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-24'
review:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 23
  unreachable: 0
  caveats: 23
  note: Read by an AI assistant on 2026-10-24. Values come from Hyperion grade tables (typical values), NIST RP960 (1937, cobalt levels 5.9 and 12.9 to 13.2 percent) and WebQC (aggregator, pure WC). Transverse rupture strength and compressive strength by grade, and modulus and conductivity for cobalt grades, are not in the record. See gaps.
story:
  recipe:
    line: 'Cemented carbide is tungsten carbide grains bound by a cobalt binder. Hyperion''s mining table lists 94 percent WC with 6 percent Co for its 6 percent grades, and 90 percent WC with 10 percent Co for PN10. Wikipedia describes the making step: the material is heated until the binder becomes liquid while the carbide grains stay solid, and the powder is sintered into one dense composite. Tungsten carbide has a formula weight of 195.85 g/mol (PubChem).'
    parts:
      - name: Tungsten carbide
        symbol: WC
        role: 'hard phase: the grains that give hardness and wear resistance'
        share_percent: 90
        share_high: 94
        source: hyperion-mining
        where: WC (%) column, Mining Grade Properties table (94 for the 6 percent grades, 90 for PN10)
      - name: Cobalt
        symbol: Co
        role: 'binder: the metal that holds the grains together'
        share_percent: 6
        share_high: 10
        source: hyperion-mining
        where: Binder (%) column, Mining Grade Properties table (6 for the 6 percent grades, 10 for PN10)
  why: Cemented carbide, also called tungsten carbide or hardmetal, is a composite of hard tungsten carbide grains in a tougher cobalt matrix. The mix sets the trade-off. Hyperion's 6 percent cobalt grades run from 1,300 to 1,605 HV30, and its 10 percent grade (PN10) is 1,200 HV30, so less cobalt gives more hardness. ITIA says the same family of materials serves metal cutting, rock drilling and wear parts. For the metal itself, see the [tungsten profile](/profiles/tungsten/).
  uses:
    - where: Metal machining and cutting
      line: ITIA says hardmetals are used for metal machining, rock drilling, wood and plastic cutting.
    - where: Mining drill bits and crusher parts
      line: Hyperion lists its 6 percent grades H6P, PM06 and PS06 for mining drill bits, H6N for crusher parts, and PN10 for HPGR studs.
    - where: Wear parts
      line: ITIA says the high abrasion resistance of hardmetal is used in wear parts for tunnel boring, road construction and agriculture.
  can_do:
    - label: Hardness (6 percent cobalt)
      benchmark: vickers_hardness
      scope: material
      value: 1350 HV30 (H6T); 1300 to 1605 HV30 across the 6 percent grades
      line: Hyperion's H6T grade is 1350 HV30 and 90.0 HRA at 20 °C, typical values from its roll grade table.
    - label: Density (6 percent cobalt)
      benchmark: density
      scope: material
      value: 14.8 to 15.0 g/cm3
      line: Density runs from 14.8 g/cm3 (H6T) to 15.0 g/cm3 (H6P) for the 6 percent grades. These are typical values from Hyperion.
    - label: Stiffness (pure WC)
      benchmark: elastic_modulus
      scope: material
      value: 530 to 700 GPa
      line: WebQC gives a Young's modulus of 530 to 700 GPa for pure tungsten carbide. WebQC is an aggregator page, so the figure is a lead, not a primary value.
    - label: Thermal expansion (5.9 percent cobalt)
      benchmark: cte
      scope: material
      value: 4.4 to 5.9 x 10-6 per degree C
      line: The 1937 NIST paper gives an average expansion of 4.4 x 10-6 per degree C from 20 to 60 °C, rising to 5.9 x 10-6 from 300 to 400 °C, for samples with 5.9 percent cobalt.
  compare: Within this file, the 6 percent cobalt grades are both harder and denser than PN10 (1,200 HV30 and 14.4 g/cm3), since density and hardness both fall as the binder rises in Hyperion's table. Pure tungsten carbide is denser again, at 15.6 g/cm3 in WebQC, but that figure comes from an aggregator page. For the metal itself, see the [tungsten profile](/profiles/tungsten/).
  compare_rows:
    - label: Density
      benchmark: density
      scope: material
    - label: Hardness (HV30)
      benchmark: vickers_hardness
      scope: material
    - label: Thermal expansion
      benchmark: cte
      scope: material
  handling:
    - Do not breathe the dust (P260). Avoid skin and eye contact, and do not let dust build up (SDS section 6.1 and section 10.4).
    - Clean up by vacuuming through a filter or by wet clean-up, which avoid raising dust (SDS section 6.3).
    - Wear gloves, goggles and a dust respirator as section 8 sets out (P280).
  good_for:
    - Cutting, machining and wear parts where hardness matters most. Hyperion ties 3 to 15 percent binder with sub-micron grains to high hardness and compressive strength.
    - Mining drill bits and crusher parts. Hyperion's mining table lists its 6 percent grades for these uses.
  watch_out:
    - Dust is a health hazard. Cobalt carries several GHS codes, and chronic inhalation of hardmetal dust can cause lung disease (SDS section 4.2; PubChem).
    - 'Fire and explosion: powders and dusts may present a fire or explosion hazard under rare conditions (SDS section 5.2).'
    - Supply is concentrated. China produced 78.8 percent of 2025 tungsten mine output (computed from USGS), and Congo (Kinshasa) produced 73 percent of 2025 cobalt (USGS).
  verdict: Cemented carbide is the choice where hardness and wear resistance matter more than toughness. Hardness and density change with the cobalt level and grain size, so compare one grade at a time. The file is strong on hardness and density by grade and thin on transverse rupture strength, compressive strength by grade, and modulus and conductivity for the cobalt grades. Those need a primary source before design use.
  risk_groups:
    - title: For people
      level: 3
      verdict: Dust and cobalt need controls
      lead: Tungsten carbide itself is not classified under GHS in the Sandvik SDS. The classified parts are the cobalt binder and the dust.
      points:
        - label: Cobalt
          line: PubChem's aggregated GHS record for cobalt lists H317, H334, H341, H350, H360F and H413, with the signal words Danger and Warning.
        - label: Dust
          line: The Sandvik SDS says chronic inhalation of hardmetal dust can cause occupational asthma and interstitial lung fibrosis, and that hardmetal powders may cause an allergic skin reaction.
    - title: Fire and explosion
      level: 1
      verdict: Rare, but real
      lead: Under rare conditions of particle size, dispersion and concentration with a strong ignition source, the dust can ignite.
      points:
        - label: Dust
          line: The SDS calls the conditions rare, and says fine powders and dusts may present a fire or explosion hazard.
    - title: Storage
      level: 1
      verdict: Keep dry, away from acids
      lead: The SDS asks for dry, cool storage away from incompatible materials, named as acids and oxidizing agents.
      points:
        - label: Conflict
          line: The same SDS lists no known incompatible materials in section 10.5, so the storage rule is the cautious reading.