volframikarbidia

Volframikarbidia is the Finnish name for tungsten carbide, a chemical compound with the formula WC. It is a very hard, brittle, greyish-black solid substance. Tungsten carbide is approximately twice as stiff as steel, with a Young's modulus of about 530–550 GPa, and is much harder than steel or titanium. Its hardness (HRA) is typically between 90 and 95. The main component of cemented carbide is tungsten carbide powder, which is then mixed with a binder, usually cobalt.

Tungsten carbide is primarily used in the manufacture of cutting tools, industrial tooling, and other durable goods that require high resistance to wear and heat. Examples include drill bits, milling cutters, saw blades, and dies for drawing wire. It is also used in the manufacture of armor-piercing projectiles and in artificial joints due to its biocompatibility and durability. The high density of tungsten carbide, similar to that of gold, also makes it suitable for use in counterbalance weights and as a component in some high-performance golf clubs.

Despite its hardness, tungsten carbide is brittle and can chip or fracture if subjected to sudden impacts. Its production involves heating tungsten powder and carbon powder to very high temperatures. The resulting tungsten carbide is then mixed with a binder metal, typically cobalt, and pressed into the desired shape before being sintered in a furnace.