| Material Composition | Tungsten carbide hardmetal normally consists of WC particles bonded with cobalt or another metallic binder. Common cobalt contents are approximately 3%–20% by mass. | Request the nominal WC content, binder type, binder percentage, impurity limits, and a material certificate for each batch. | Composition directly affects hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance, density, and service life. |
| WC Grain Size | Typical categories include submicron or ultrafine grades below about 0.5 μm, fine grades around 0.5–1.0 μm, medium grades around 1–2 μm, and coarse grades above approximately 2 μm. | Check the measured grain-size distribution by metallographic analysis rather than relying only on the grade name. | Smaller grains generally improve hardness and wear resistance, while larger grains can improve fracture toughness. |
| Hardness | Many general-purpose WC–Co grades fall roughly within 86–93 HRA, depending on grain size and binder content. Vickers hardness is also commonly reported. | Confirm the test method, load, sampling location, minimum value, and hardness uniformity across the part. | Hardness is a key indicator of resistance to plastic deformation and abrasive wear. |
| Transverse Rupture Strength | Typical values vary widely, often from approximately 1,000 to above 3,000 MPa, depending on grade, porosity, grain size, and binder content. | Ask for the test standard, specimen dimensions, batch results, and statistical variation rather than a single maximum value. | This helps assess resistance to bending, impact, edge chipping, and intermittent loads. |
| Density | WC–Co hardmetal commonly has a density of approximately 13.5–15.2 g/cm³, with higher cobalt content generally lowering density. | Compare the measured density with the theoretical value for the specified composition and investigate any unexplained deviation. | Density testing can reveal composition errors, abnormal porosity, or inconsistent sintering. |
| Porosity and Structural Defects | High-quality cemented carbide should have tightly controlled porosity and no unacceptable graphite, η-phase, cracks, or large inclusions. | Request metallographic images and a porosity classification based on a recognized hardmetal inspection method. | Defects can cause premature cracking, edge failure, leakage, and unstable machining performance. |
| Dimensional Capability | Tolerance depends on geometry, size, sintering shrinkage, grinding allowance, and whether the part is supplied as-sintered or precision-ground. | Obtain a drawing review, tolerance capability study, inspection plan, and sample measurement report before mass production. | Reliable dimensional control reduces assembly problems and secondary finishing costs. |
| Surface Finish | Ground or polished carbide surfaces can achieve low roughness, but the achievable value depends on geometry, diamond tooling, and inspection equipment. | Specify Ra or another agreed surface parameter, measurement direction, equipment, and the exact functional surfaces. | Surface finish affects friction, sealing, fatigue resistance, coating adhesion, and wear. |
| Application-Based Grade Selection | Lower-binder and finer-grain grades generally favor hardness and wear resistance; higher-binder or coarser-grain grades generally favor toughness and impact resistance. | Provide operating load, speed, temperature, media, impact level, corrosion exposure, and failure history for grade recommendation. | The hardest grade is not always the best choice; application conditions determine the required balance. |
| Coating and Surface Treatment | Common coating families include titanium-based nitride, carbonitride, carbide, and aluminum-containing coatings. Performance depends on substrate and process conditions. | Confirm coating composition, thickness, adhesion, allowable edge radius, temperature limit, and post-coating dimensional change. | A coating can improve wear or oxidation resistance but may fail if the substrate or application is unsuitable. |
| Quality Management | A documented quality system should control incoming powders, mixing, pressing, sintering, grinding, inspection, nonconforming product, and traceability. | Review the quality certificate, process flow, calibration records, corrective-action procedure, and batch traceability system. | Process consistency is more important than a single impressive sample. |
| Testing and Inspection | Useful checks may include composition, density, hardness, transverse rupture strength, microstructure, dimensions, surface finish, and coating adhesion. | Agree in advance on test methods, sample quantity, acceptance criteria, inspection frequency, and report format. | Clear acceptance criteria prevent disputes and make suppliers directly comparable. |
| Prototype and Sample Approval | A representative sample should use the proposed powder grade, tooling, sintering route, grinding process, and inspection method. | Approve samples against a signed drawing and specification, then retain a reference sample for future comparison. | Production results can differ from laboratory samples if the process route changes. |
| Packaging and Export Readiness | Finished carbide components are dense and brittle; they require impact-resistant, moisture-controlled, and traceable packaging. | Confirm packaging drawings, corrosion protection where relevant, labeling, carton strength, export documents, and damage-claim procedures. | Good packaging protects precision edges and reduces transit damage. |
| Commercial and Technical Support | A capable supplier should provide engineering feedback, drawing review, tooling advice, production lead-time information, and documented corrective actions. | Evaluate response time, technical clarity, change-control discipline, warranty terms, and after-sales communication. | Responsive technical support lowers qualification risk and speeds up problem resolution. |