terämetallit

Terämetallit, often translated as "hard metals" or "cemented carbides," are composite materials formed by sintering a mixture of fine metal powders. The most common type consists of tungsten carbide particles embedded in a binder metal, typically cobalt. Other carbide materials like titanium carbide, tantalum carbide, and niobium carbide can also be used, along with different binder metals such as nickel or iron. This combination results in materials with exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and compressive strength, while retaining some toughness due to the binder.

The production of terämetallit involves several steps. First, the constituent powders are mixed, often with a binder, and then pressed into a desired shape. This green compact is then subjected to sintering, a high-temperature process where the particles fuse together. During sintering, the binder metal melts and permeates the carbide particles, forming a dense and hard structure upon cooling. The resulting material is significantly harder than most steels and is extremely resistant to abrasion.

Terämetallit find widespread application in industries requiring durable cutting tools, wear parts, and structural components. They are used in machining tools for cutting metals, mining equipment for drilling and excavation, drawing dies for shaping wires and tubes, and in various wear-resistant components for industries like automotive and aerospace. Their ability to maintain sharp edges and resist wear at high temperatures makes them indispensable for many demanding applications. Despite their hardness, they can be brittle, requiring careful design and handling in certain applications.