Hartmetall

Hartmetall, known in English as cemented carbide, is a composite material consisting of hard carbide grains, primarily tungsten carbide (WC), bound by a metallic binder such as cobalt (often also nickel or iron in some grades). It is produced by powder metallurgy: WC powder is blended with a binder, compacted into shapes, and sintered at high temperatures to form a dense, solid material. The resulting microstructure features WC grains embedded in a metallic binder matrix, and properties can be tuned by varying grain size and binder content.

A key characteristic of Hartmetall is its combination of high hardness and good fracture toughness relative to many other ceramics. Hardness and wear resistance are high, while the metallic binder provides toughness and impact resistance, especially in coarse-grained grades. Fine-grained grades offer greater hardness and wear resistance, whereas coarser-grained grades improve toughness. Typical applications include cutting tools (drill bits, end mills, inserts), milling and turning tools, as well as punches, dies, and wear parts used in mining and forming.

Grades are tailored for specific conditions, such as high-speed cutting, interrupted cuts, or abrasive environments. While extremely durable, Hartmetall is relatively brittle in tension and can be sensitive to overheating, which can degrade the binder. Health considerations relate to dust generation during grinding, particularly for cobalt-containing grades.

Hartmetall is a staple in tooling industries and is produced by many manufacturers worldwide under various grade names and compositions.