What Are Carbide STB Strips and What Are They Used For?

If you’re looking for more information on carbide STB strips, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn what they’re made from, what they’re used for, how much they cost, and much more.

WHAT ARE TUNGSTEN CARBIDE STB STRIPS?

STB is short for Standard Tool Blank. These unground strips are long, rectangular objects that are used as material for the creation of custom tools and parts. They are often made from tungsten carbide, a dense, metal-like substance that is superior to common steel compounds in terms of strength, consistency, and malleability.

WHAT ARE TUNGSTEN CARBIDE BLANKS USED FOR?

Tungsten carbide blanks can come in many different geometries. In addition to rectangular STB strips, there are available in carbide rods, dies, and cutting wheels, amongst others. These blanks are commonly ground down to create custom tools, wear parts, cutoff blades, grinder rests, appliance parts, and other specific applications.

HOW ARE STANDARD TOOL BLANKS MACHINED?

To create the final product, a pattern of the finished shape is required. This pattern is then fed into a CNC program and then a machine—such as a lathe—is used to remove the excess material from the workpiece through grinding, turning, milling, drilling, boring, or broaching. Various abrasive materials can also be used, depending on the desired removal rate and hardness of the blank material.

WHAT SIZES AND LENGTHS DO YOUR STB STRIPS COME IN?

While STB strips can often be cut to size to fit your unique application, they are most commonly found within the following dimensional ranges.

• Height: 1/32” – 1/2”
• Width: 1/16” – 1-1/12”
• Length: 1” – 12”

WHAT TUNGSTEN CARBIDE GRADES ARE YOUR STB STRIPS MADE FROM?

When it comes to carbide grades, we offer the two most common grades used in North America: CCSM-10 and CCF-22. CCSM-10 consists of 10% cobalt and is an industry standard in terms of strength and quality. CCF-22 consists of 22% cobalt and is a very popular high-strength grade of carbide.

HOW MUCH DO TUNGSTEN CARBIDE BLANKS COST?

Unfortunately, tungsten carbide does not come cheap. Thanks to its superior quality, high demand, and relative scarcity, the current market prices for tungsten carbide are significantly higher than that of steel.

Like with most products, the price you pay is dependent on a number of different factors. In this case, the amount of raw materials needed (a combination of the height, width, and length of the blank) and the quality of the material (carbide grade) will ultimately determine the final cost.

For example, a 1/16” x 1/8” x 1” STB strip in a CCSM-10 grade is only going to cost you about $0.81. On the other hand, a 3/8” x 1” x 12” STB strip in a CCF-22 grade is going to set you back over $180.

SHOP THE BEST SELECTION OF STB STRIPS AT COMPLETE CARBIDE

If you’re looking for the highest quality tungsten carbide STB strips at the most competitive prices, look no further than Complete Carbide. Check out our complete inventory of STB strips and carbide rods today.

Can’t find the exact product you’re looking for? Send your request to info@completecarbide.com and we will be happy to let you know if it’s something we can source on your behalf.