Cementoften

Cementoften, also known as cemented tungsten carbide, is a composite material composed primarily of tungsten carbide (WC) particles bonded together with a metallic binder, most commonly cobalt (Co). This material is widely used in industrial applications due to its exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and ability to withstand high temperatures and mechanical stresses.

The production of cementoften involves a powder metallurgy process. Initially, tungsten carbide powder is mixed with a cobalt powder binder, often in proportions ranging from 3% to 30% cobalt by weight. The mixture is then compacted under high pressure to form a green body, which is subsequently sintered at temperatures between 1,300°C and 1,500°C. This sintering process fuses the tungsten carbide particles together, creating a dense, hard material with the cobalt acting as a binder phase.

Cementoften is renowned for its high compressive strength, making it suitable for applications such as cutting tools, mining equipment, rock drilling, and metalworking. Its hardness, which can reach up to 90 on the Rockwell A scale, allows it to maintain sharp cutting edges for extended periods. Additionally, cementoften exhibits good thermal conductivity and resistance to corrosion, further enhancing its utility in demanding environments.

The material’s properties can be tailored by adjusting the composition of tungsten carbide and cobalt, as well as through the addition of other carbide phases, such as titanium carbide or tantalum carbide. These modifications improve specific characteristics, such as wear resistance or resistance to chemical attack, depending on the application requirements.

Despite its advantages, cementoften is brittle and prone to chipping under impact loads, which limits its use in applications requiring high toughness. Proper selection and design of cementoften tools and components are essential to maximize performance and longevity.