Tungsten carbide production
The APT (ammonium para-tungstate) is calcined into tungsten oxide under high temperatures. Subsequently, the oxide is reduced to tungsten metal in a hydrogen atmosphere. The metal powder is then mixed with carbon and carburized under
an inert atmosphere at high temperatures. The production parameters are decisive for the WC grain size in the sintered carbide.
Powder preparation
The tungsten carbide is intensely mixed with the binder metal
cobalt, nickel or iron, various grain growth inhibitors, and materials,
which promote compaction, by wet grinding so that a
homogeneous suspension is created. Afterward, the suspension
is dried in a spray tower to produce a granulate with good
flow characteristics. This granulate represents the basis for all
forming processes.
