Metal powders · W₂C
Fused Tungsten Carbide Powder (W₂C)
Cast and crushed W₂C in mesh sizes from −40 to +600, for drill bit matrices, hard-surfacing electrodes and the most abrasive diamond tool duties.
About Fused tungsten carbide
Fused tungsten carbide is a different material from sintered WC, not a coarser version of it. It is made by melting tungsten and carbon together at roughly 3000 °C and cooling the melt rapidly, producing a eutectic of WC and W₂C phases. The result is a dense, blackish-grey crystalline solid that is then crushed and screened to mesh size.
That casting route gives fused carbide its defining property: hardness substantially above sintered WC, with no binder phase to wear away preferentially. The trade-off is brittleness. Fused carbide has very little fracture toughness, so it is used as discrete particles held in a tougher matrix rather than as a monolithic part.
Carbon runs 3.5–4.1% with free carbon held to max. 0.003% — an order of magnitude tighter than sintered WC, because free graphite in a cast structure becomes a crack initiation site. Apparent density is 5.90 g/cc and tungsten makes up the balance.
Specifications
| Appearance | Blackish grey crushed powder |
|---|---|
| Mesh size (ASTM/BSS) | −40 to +600, screened to order |
| Apparent density | 5.90 g/cc |
| Melting point (approx.) | 3000 °C |
| Total carbon | 3.5 – 4.1 % |
| Free carbon, max. | 0.003 % |
| Tungsten (W) | Balance |
Specifications can be tailored to order. Confirm your target values with us before placing an order and we will state honestly whether they are achievable.
Selecting a mesh size
Mesh size sets how the particle interacts with the material being cut. Coarse particles stand proud of the matrix and take deep bites in soft abrasive ground; fine particles give a denser, more uniform wear surface. Matching mesh to the matrix wear rate matters more than chasing the coarsest grade available.
−40 to +80 mesh
Drill bit matrices and hard-surfacing overlays in soft, highly abrasive formations.
−80 to +200 mesh
General hard-facing electrode coatings and wear-plate cladding.
−200 to +400 mesh
Diamond core bit matrices and finer overlay deposits needing a uniform wear face.
−400 to +600 mesh
Fine matrix work and blended infiltration powders where surface finish matters.
Applications
Diamond core drill bits
Fused carbide in the bit matrix resists the abrasive slurry that would otherwise wash the bond away and release diamonds prematurely. Matrix wear rate is tuned by mesh size and loading together.
Hard-surfacing electrodes
Carried in tube-wire or coated electrodes and deposited by oxy-acetylene or arc welding onto wear surfaces. The particles survive the deposit intact and do the wear work; the weld metal only holds them in place.
Wear-resistant overlays
Cladding on chutes, augers, mixer paddles and tillage tools operating in abrasive service, including overlays on abrasion-resistant plate.
Diamond tools for abrasive materials
Where the workpiece itself is highly abrasive — green concrete, asphalt, sandstone — a matrix loaded with fused carbide holds its profile long after a plain bronze or cobalt bond would have eroded.
Quality control
- Screen analysis against the ordered ASTM/BSS mesh range
- Total and free carbon determination
- Apparent density
- Visual and appearance check against the blackish-grey standard
- Certificate of analysis with every shipment
Manufactured under an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system.
Packaging and export
Screened to the ordered mesh range and packed in sealed drums or pails, palletised for container shipment. Screen analysis for the lot is stated on the certificate of analysis.
Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of analysis and certificate of origin are supplied as standard with every export shipment.
Fused tungsten carbide — frequently asked questions
What is the difference between fused tungsten carbide and sintered WC powder?
Fused carbide is melted and crushed, producing a WC/W₂C eutectic with no binder phase — harder but brittle, used as discrete particles in a matrix. Sintered WC powder is carburised at lower temperature and is milled with cobalt or nickel to make a tough consolidated part. They are not interchangeable.
What mesh sizes can you supply?
ASTM or BSS mesh from −40 to +600, screened to the customer's requirement. Tell us the range you need and the screen analysis for the lot will be stated on the certificate.
Why is free carbon held so much tighter than in sintered WC?
Max. 0.003% here versus 0.03% for sintered WC. In a cast and crushed structure, free graphite acts as a crack initiation site, and fused carbide has almost no fracture toughness to absorb that. The tighter limit protects particle integrity in service.
Is fused tungsten carbide harder than cemented carbide?
Yes, meaningfully so, because there is no soft binder phase. It is also far more brittle, which is why it is used as loose grit or matrix loading rather than as a monolithic tool body.
Fused tungsten carbide export destinations
Country-specific specifications, logistics and compliance notes for this product: