subject: Carbide Blanks Can Be Machined To Suit Specific Applications [print this page] Tungsten carbide is a widely used compound that is a combination of an equal number of atoms of carbon and tungsten. This dark gray compound can be formed into several shapes and objects for use in various applications. Most tungsten carbide manufacturers also offer carbide blanks. Blanks are a piece of roughly shaped tungsten carbide that can be further shaped and machined as desired. This metal is much harder than other materials such as chrome and stainless steel. Where ever there is a need for a scratch, wear and heat resistant metal, you would likely find tungsten carbide being use.
It is important to note here that the quality of this compound mostly depends on its manufacturing process. Using the best raw materials and precise heating and sintering processes ensures that the resultant compound possesses the desired attributes.
However, tungsten carbide has one drawbackit is known to be brittle. There are several applications in which this brittleness is unfavorable. In such cases, another variety known as cemented carbide is used as an alternative. This metal is even harder than tungsten carbide, and bears no traces of brittleness. Ever since it was first used in the 1920s in Germany, this compound has only grown in popularity. It is manufactured using a special process known as sintering. There are a number of leading firms that manufacturing tungsten carbide, and supply associated products such as drill bits, carbide blanks, plug gages, valve trims etc.
Whether your application is exposed to high temperatures, extreme wear or aggressive chemicals, cemented carbide can be used with nearly all kinds of applications. If required, the compound can be further toughened with special coatings too. This makes it perfectly suited for high quantity production runs. It can be used for manufacturing most of the standard products that you would expect from tungsten carbide.
There are different types of carbide blanks that can be procured. Here are a few of them:
PCB drill blanks: These are used for manufacturing very slender yet rigid drill bits that can drill exceedingly minute holes for PCB applications.
End mill blanks: An end mill is primarily used for milling applications, and is widely used in the industrial sector. Milling applications such as face, tracer, and profile milling can be achieved with an end mill.
Flat blanks: These are used mainly for manufacturing saw blades, or other flat objects. They can be machined as desired.
Round blanks: These are widely used for manufacturing ball gages, plug gages of various sizes and shapes.
Thus, it is clear that once you have access to carbide blanks, numerous end products can be machined thereupon. There are several manufacturers that supply blanks as per your specifications.
