Hartmetallzähnen

Hartmetallzähnen, often translated as carbide teeth or cemented carbide teeth, are cutting or wear-resistant inserts made from a composite material. The primary component is tungsten carbide (WC) powder, which is mixed with a binder metal, typically cobalt (Co). This mixture is then pressed into a desired shape and sintered at high temperatures. During sintering, the binder metal melts and fuses the tungsten carbide particles together, creating an extremely hard and tough material.

These teeth are widely used in applications requiring high wear resistance and durability. Common examples include cutting tools for machining metals and wood, drill bits for mining and construction, and wear parts in various industrial machinery. The combination of extreme hardness from tungsten carbide and toughness from the cobalt binder makes them superior to many traditional steels in demanding environments.

The properties of Hartmetallzähnen can be tailored by adjusting the grain size of the tungsten carbide and the percentage of binder metal. Finer grain sizes generally lead to increased hardness and wear resistance, while higher binder content can improve toughness. Despite their hardness, they are brittle and can chip or break under sudden impact or excessive bending stress. Therefore, careful design and application are necessary to prevent catastrophic failure. Their manufacturing process involves powder metallurgy, which allows for complex shapes to be produced with high precision.