Tungsten carbide is renowned for its exceptional hardness and wear resistance, making it a critical material in industrial tooling, machining, and wear-resistant applications. Understanding its Rockwell hardness is essential for engineers, manufacturers, and users to select the right grade for specific tasks and to ensure quality control. This comprehensive article explores the Rockwell hardness of tungsten carbide, its comparison with other hardness scales, factors influencing its hardness, applications, and testing methods.
Tungsten carbide (WC) is a compound of tungsten and carbon that exhibits remarkable hardness, making it one of the toughest materials known. Its unique properties arise from its molecular structure and the bonding between tungsten and carbon atoms. This article explores the hardness of tungsten carbide, its comparisons with other materials, applications, and a comprehensive FAQ section.