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Tungsten Carbide: Tungsten Carbide (Chemical Formula: WC) Is A Chemical
Tungsten Carbide: Tungsten Carbide (Chemical Formula: WC) Is A Chemical
Tungsten tetracarbide
Contents Identifiers
CAS Number 12070-12-1 (https://
Naming
commonchemistry.c
Synthesis as.org/detail?cas_rn
Chemical properties =12070-12-1)
Physical properties 3D model (W+≡C−): Interactive
(JSmol)
Structure image (https://chem
Applications apps.stolaf.edu/jmol/
Cutting tools for machining jmol.php?model=%5
Ammunition BC-%5D%23%5B
Mining and foundation drilling W%2B%5D)
Tungsten carbide's low electrical resistivity of about 0.2 µΩ·m is comparable with that of some metals (e.g.
vanadium 0.2 µΩ·m).[11][20]
WC is readily wetted by both molten nickel and cobalt.[21] Investigation of the phase diagram of the W-C-
Co system shows that WC and Co form a pseudo binary eutectic. The phase diagram also shows that there
are so-called η-carbides with composition (W,Co)6 C that can be formed and the brittleness of these phases
makes control of the carbon content in WC-Co cemented carbides important.[21] In the presence of a
molten phase such as cobalt, abnormal grain growth is known to occur in the sintering of tungsten carbide,
with this having significant effects on the performance of the product material.
Structure
There are two forms of WC, a hexagonal form, α-WC (hP2, space group P6m2, No. 187),[5][6] and a cubic
high-temperature form, β-WC, which has the rock salt structure.[22] The hexagonal form can be visualized
as made up of a simple hexagonal lattice of metal atoms of layers lying directly over one another (i.e. not
close packed), with carbon atoms filling half the interstices giving
both tungsten and carbon a regular trigonal prismatic, 6
coordination.[6] From the unit cell dimensions[23] the following
bond lengths can be determined: the distance between the tungsten
atoms in a hexagonally packed layer is 291 pm, the shortest
distance between tungsten atoms in adjoining layers is 284 pm, and
the tungsten carbon bond length is 220 pm. The tungsten-carbon
bond length is therefore comparable to the single bond in W(CH3 )6
α-WC structure, carbon atoms are
(218 pm) in which there is strongly distorted trigonal prismatic
gray.[5]
coordination of tungsten.[24]
Molecular WC has been investigated and this gas phase species has
a bond length of 171 pm for 184 W12 C.[25]
Applications
Ammunition
Tungsten carbide, in its monolithic sintered form, or much more often in cemented tungsten carbide cobalt
composite (see above), is often used in armor-piercing ammunition, especially where depleted uranium is
not available or is politically unacceptable. W2 C projectiles were first used by German Luftwaffe tank-
hunter squadrons in World War II. However, owing to the limited German reserves of tungsten, W2 C
material was reserved for making machine tools and small numbers of projectiles. It is an effective
penetrator due to its combination of great hardness and very high density.[28][29]
Tungsten carbide ammunition is now generally of the sabot type. SLAP, or saboted light armour penetrator,
where a plastic sabot discards at the barrel muzzle, is one of the primary types of saboted small arms
ammunition. Non-discarding jackets, regardless of the jacket material, are not perceived as sabots but as
bullets. Both of the designs are, however, common in designated light armor-piercing small arms
ammunition. Discarding sabots such as are used with M1A1 Abrams main gun are more commonplace in
precision high-velocity gun ammunition.[30][31]
Sports usage
While ski pole tips are generally not made of carbide, since they do
not need to be especially hard even to break through layers of ice,
rollerski tips usually are. Roller skiing emulates cross country
A Nokian bicycle tire with tungsten
skiing and is used by many skiers to train during warm weather
carbide spikes. The spikes are
months. surrounded by aluminum.
Car, motorcycle and bicycle tires with tungsten carbide studs provide better traction on ice. They are
generally preferred to steel studs because of their superior resistance to wear.[35]
Tungsten carbide may be used in farriery, the shoeing of horses, to improve traction on slippery surfaces
such as roads or ice. Carbide-tipped hoof nails may be used to attach the shoes;[36] in the United States,
borium – chips of tungsten carbide in a matrix of softer metal such as bronze or mild steel – may be welded
to small areas of the underside of the shoe before fitting.[37]: 7 3
Jewelry
Other
Tungsten carbide is widely used to make the rotating ball in the tips
of ballpoint pens that disperse ink during writing.[43]
A tungsten carbide coating has been utilized on brake discs in high performance automotive applications to
improve performance, increase service intervals and reduce brake dust.[47]
Toxicity
The primary health risks associated with tungsten carbide relate to inhalation of dust, leading to silicosis-
like pulmonary fibrosis.[48] Cobalt-cemented tungsten carbide is also anticipated to be a human carcinogen
by the American National Toxicology Program.[49]
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External links
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20.htm)
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0647.html)