Welcome To Our ZHONGBO

Xiangjiang Industrial Park, Xiangjiang Street,

Honghuagang District, Zunyi City,Guizhou, China.

Call Us

+86-15599297368
What Is Black Tungsten Carbide?
Home » News » What Is Black Tungsten Carbide?

What Is Black Tungsten Carbide?

Views: 222     Author: Hazel     Publish Time: 2025-02-03      Origin: Site

Inquire

facebook sharing button
twitter sharing button
line sharing button
wechat sharing button
linkedin sharing button
pinterest sharing button
whatsapp sharing button
sharethis sharing button
What Is Black Tungsten Carbide?

Content Menu

Composition and Manufacturing of Black Tungsten Carbide

>> What Is Tungsten Carbide?

>> How Is It Turned "Black"?

Properties of Black Tungsten Carbide

>> Physical and Chemical Characteristics

>> Limitations

Manufacturing Process

Applications of Black Tungsten Carbide

>> 1. Jewelry

>> 2. Industrial Tools

>> 3. Military and Defense

>> 4. Nuclear Technology

Black Tungsten Carbide vs. Black Ceramic

Maintenance and Care

Environmental and Health Considerations

Conclusion

FAQs

>> 1. Does black tungsten carbide fade or scratch?

>> 2. Is black tungsten carbide safe for sensitive skin?

>> 3. Can the black coating be reapplied?

>> 4. How does it compare to black ceramic?

>> 5. Will it crack if dropped?

Citations:

Black tungsten carbide is a specialized form of tungsten carbide, a compound renowned for its exceptional hardness and durability. While traditional tungsten carbide has a natural metallic gray hue, black tungsten carbide undergoes advanced coating processes to achieve its signature dark appearance. This material is widely used in jewelry, industrial tools, and high-performance applications due to its scratch resistance, strength, and modern aesthetic. Below, we explore its composition, properties, uses, and how it compares to alternatives like black ceramic.

Carbide Button for Mining Drilling

Composition and Manufacturing of Black Tungsten Carbide

What Is Tungsten Carbide?

Tungsten carbide (WC) is a compound of tungsten and carbon atoms, formed under extreme heat and pressure. It ranks 9–9.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamonds[1][5]. Pure tungsten carbide is a powder, so it's combined with binders like nickel or cobalt (6–10%) to create durable alloys[2][6].

How Is It Turned "Black"?

The black color is achieved through surface treatments such as:

- Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD): A high-temperature vacuum process that bonds titanium zirconium or titanium carbide coatings to the surface[7][19].

- Ion Plating: Bombarding the surface with charged particles to embed a thin, durable layer[8].

Unlike ceramic, which is inherently black, black tungsten's color is a coating. Over time, this layer may wear off, revealing the natural gray beneath[8][12].

Properties of Black Tungsten Carbide

Physical and Chemical Characteristics

- Hardness: 9–9.5 Mohs, making it highly scratch-resistant[1][4].

- Density: Heavyweight (14.7–15.1 g/cm³), giving it a substantial feel[1][11].

- Melting Point: 2,870°C (5,200°F), suitable for high-temperature environments[1][5].

- Thermal Conductivity: 110 W/m·K, enabling efficient heat dissipation[1].

- Electrical Resistivity: 0.2 μΩ·m, comparable to metals like vanadium[1].

Limitations

- Brittleness: Prone to cracking under extreme impact[12][16].

- Non-Resizable: Cannot be resized due to its hardness[16].

Manufacturing Process

The production of black tungsten carbide involves several precise steps[2][6][10]:

1. Raw Material Preparation: Tungsten oxide (WO₃) is reduced in hydrogen to produce tungsten powder[10].

2. Carbonization: Tungsten powder is mixed with carbon black and heated to 1,300–1,600°C in a carbon tube furnace, forming tungsten carbide[2][14].

3. Ball Milling: The carbide powder is ground with cobalt or nickel binders for 2–4 hours to ensure uniformity[6][18].

4. Pressing and Sintering: The mixture is pressed into shapes and sintered at 1,500°C, causing particles to fuse into a dense structure[6][14].

5. Coating: PVD or ion plating is applied to achieve the black finish[7][19].

Applications of Black Tungsten Carbide

1. Jewelry

Black tungsten carbide is popular for men's wedding bands due to its sleek, modern look and durability. Key features include[7][11][17]:

- Scratch resistance for active lifestyles.

- Hypoallergenic properties (if nickel-free).

- Affordability compared to gold or platinum.

Modern techniques like Mokume Gane combine tungsten with layered metals for unique patterns, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary materials[7].

2. Industrial Tools

- Cutting Tools: Used in drills and saws for machining steel[1][13].

- Mining Equipment: Enhances durability in drill bits and excavation tools[1][6].

- Tunnel Boring Machines: Tungsten carbide teeth enable efficient rock cutting in large-scale projects[1].

3. Military and Defense

- Armor-Piercing Ammunition: Utilizes its density and hardness for penetrative cores[1][13].

4. Nuclear Technology

- Neutron Reflectors: Tungsten carbide's ability to reflect neutrons made it critical in early nuclear research[1].

Solid Carbide Drills

Black Tungsten Carbide vs. Black Ceramic

Feature Black Tungsten Carbide Black Ceramic
Color Source Coating (PVD/ion plating) Inherent material color
Hardness (Mohs) 9–9.5 7
Weight Heavy (15.1 g/cm³) Lightweight (3–4 g/cm³)
Durability Scratch-resistant, may chip Less impact-resistant, may shatter
Price $100–$300 $150–$400

Ceramic offers permanent color but is less suited for heavy-impact activities[4][8].*

Maintenance and Care

- Cleaning: Use mild soap and warm water; avoid abrasive cleaners[16].

- Recoating: Specialized services can restore the black finish for $20–$50[8].

- Emergency Removal: Hospitals can cut tungsten rings using diamond-tipped tools[4].

Environmental and Health Considerations

- Recycling: Tungsten carbide is recyclable, reducing mining demand[13].

- Dust Hazards: Inhalation of carbide powder during manufacturing requires protective gear[1].

Conclusion

Black tungsten carbide combines the unmatched hardness of tungsten with a modern black finish, ideal for jewelry and industrial use. While its coating may wear over time, its scratch resistance and affordability make it a top choice for those prioritizing durability and style. For permanent color, black ceramic is an alternative, albeit less tough.

Facts About Tungsten

FAQs

1. Does black tungsten carbide fade or scratch?

The black coating can wear off with heavy abrasion, revealing the natural gray beneath. However, the base material remains scratch-resistant[8][12].

2. Is black tungsten carbide safe for sensitive skin?

Most alloys are hypoallergenic, but check for nickel-free binders if you have allergies[11][17].

3. Can the black coating be reapplied?

Yes, specialized jewelers offer recoating services for $20–$50[8][19].

4. How does it compare to black ceramic?

Tungsten is heavier and harder, while ceramic is lighter with permanent color but less durable[4][8].

5. Will it crack if dropped?

Yes—its hardness makes it brittle. Avoid impacts on hard surfaces[12][16].

Citations:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tungsten_carbide

[2] https://heegermaterials.com/blog/90_how-is-tungsten-carbide-made-.html

[3] https://www.embr.com/en-de/blogs/news/what-does-tungsten-vs-tungsten-carbide-really-mean

[4] https://hanoverjewelers.com/blogs/education/tungsten-carbide-vs-ceramic-rings-whats-the-difference

[5] https://www.britannica.com/science/tungsten-carbide

[6] https://carbideprocessors.com/pages/carbide-parts/tungsten-carbide-tips.html

[7] https://www.jewelry-auctioned.com/learn/buying-jewelry/tungsten-jewelry

[8] https://www.tungstenringsco.com/blog/2012/05/black-tungsten-vs-black-ceramic-whats-better/

[9] https://theartisanrings.com/blogs/news/what-is-tungsten-carbide-characteristics-of-tungsten-carbide-rings

[10] https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/24896/03chapter3.pdf?sequence=4

[11] https://www.nobbier.com/blogs/editorial/tungsten-in-jewelry-everything-you-need-to-know/

[12] https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelry/comments/ds9jy8/question_about_black_alternative_metals_and_other/

[13] https://www.azom.com/properties.aspx?ArticleID=1203

[14] https://www.yatechmaterials.com/en/news/production-process-and-equipment-of-tungsten-carbide-powder/

[15] https://www.tungstenringsco.com/blog/2013/06/the-first-uses-of-tungsten-carbide/

[16] https://www.larsonjewelers.com/pages/tungsten-rings-pros-cons-facts-myths

[17] https://www.justmensrings.com/blogs/justmensrings/what-are-the-benefits-of-tungsten-carbide-rings

[18] https://www.allied-material.co.jp/en/techinfo/tungsten_carbide/process.html

[19] https://www.larsonjewelers.com/pages/about-tungsten

[20] https://www.justmensrings.com/blogs/justmensrings/variations-of-style-for-black-tungsten-rings

Table of Content list
  • Sign up for our newsletter
  • get ready for the future
    sign up for our newsletter to get updates straight to your inbox