How to choose tungsten carbide strips？

1. Tungsten Carbide Grade

The grade of tungsten carbide determines its hardness, toughness and wear resistance. It is usually classified according to the binder content and the grain size of the tungsten carbide particles. For example, a higher cobalt (binder) content will usually result in higher toughness, but slightly lower hardness. If you need strips for cutting softer materials, or in applications where impact resistance is critical, a higher cobalt content grade (e.g., about 10%, 15% cobalt) may be appropriate.

2. Dimensions and Tolerances

Consider the width, thickness and length of the tungsten carbide strip. The dimensions need to be appropriate for the particular tool or application you are considering. For example, if you are making cutting tools for precision machining operations, you need to ensure that the width and thickness of the strip has very tight tolerances to ensure accurate cutting and assembly.

Tolerances also play a critical role. Strips with narrower tolerances (e.g. ±0.01mm thickness) are better suited to high precision applications, while strips with looser tolerances (e.g. ±0.1mm) may be suitable for less demanding applications such as general purpose cutting tools.

3. Surface finish

The surface finish of tungsten carbide strips affects their performance and the quality of the final product. A smooth surface finish is usually preferred as it reduces friction during the cutting operation and helps to achieve a higher quality cut. Rough surface finish strips result in more heat generation and poorer surface quality of the workpiece.