A Closer Look at 6 Different Types of Carbide

If you’re like most machine shop owners and operators, you’re always on the lookout for new ways to improve your productivity and efficiency. That’s why it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest in cutting tool materials—especially carbide.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at six different types of carbide compounds, from tungsten carbide to aluminum carbide. We’ll discuss what makes each unique, how they compare to other materials on the market, and how they can benefit your machining operations.

So, if you’re ready to learn more about the world of carbide, keep reading!

WHAT IS CARBIDE AND HOW IS IT MADE?

Before we dive into the various carbide materials, we should first begin with a brief description of what makes a carbide a carbide.

In chemistry, a carbide is a compound made up of carbon and one or more metal elements. Covalent carbides are made up of carbon atoms that have bonded to one another using covalent bonds, while interstitial carbides have carbon atoms located between the metal atoms in the crystal lattice.

In metallurgy, carbiding is the process of adding carbon to an alloy in order to improve its hardness and wear resistance. This is usually accomplished by heating the metal in the presence of carbon-rich material, like charcoal. The carbon atoms will then diffuse into the metal, forming a hard, wear-resistant carbide compound.

LET’S LOOK AT THE 6 MOST COMMON CARBIDE COMPOUNDS

Now that we know a little more about carbide and the process of its creation, let’s take a closer look at six different types of carbides that are commonly used in machining operations today.

1. Tungsten Carbide

Tungsten carbide is a hard, brittle material made up of tungsten and carbon atoms. It’s classified as a metalloid, meaning it has characteristics of both metals and non-metals.

On the Mohs hardness scale, tungsten carbide ranks between 8 and 9, making it one of the hardest materials on Earth. It’s this extreme hardness that makes tungsten carbide an ideal material for cutting tools, as it can stand up to the high temperatures and pressures generated during machining operations.

Tungsten carbide is also resistant to wear and corrosion, making it a long-lasting cutting tool material. However, because it’s so hard, tungsten carbide is also difficult to work with and can be expensive.

Moh’s Hardness Scale: 8.5 (making it harder than steel)

Common Tungsten Carbide Applications:

• Cutting tools
• Drill bits
• Wear-resistant coatings
• Medical implants

2. Silicon Carbide

Silicon carbide is made up of silicon and carbon atoms. Like tungsten carbide, it’s classified as a metalloid and ranks between 8 and 9 on the Mohs hardness scale.

Silicon carbide is an ideal material for cutting tools because it’s not only hard but also has good heat conductivity. This means it can dissipate the high temperatures generated during machining operations, making it less likely to break or shatter.

However, silicon carbide is more expensive than tungsten carbide and is just as difficult to work with.

Moh’s Hardness Scale: 9 (slightly harder than tungsten carbide)

Common Silicon Carbide Applications:

• Cutting tools
• Abrasive materials
• Wear-resistant coatings
• Refractory materials

3. Boron Carbide

Boron carbide is made up of boron and carbon atoms. Like silicon carbide, it’s classified as a metalloid and ranks between 9 and 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it one of the hardest known materials in existence.

Due to its extreme strength, boron carbide is often used as an abrasive material. It’s also resistant to wear and can withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for cutting tools and other machining applications.

Because boron carbide is so hard, however, it can be difficult to work with and is relatively expensive compared to other materials.

Moh’s Hardness Scale: 9.5 (harder than silicon carbide)

Common Boron Carbide Applications:

• Abrasive materials
• Cutting tools
• Wear-resistant coatings
• Refractory materials

4. Titanium Carbide

Titanium carbide is a compound made up of titanium and carbon atoms. It’s classified as a transition metal carbide, meaning it has properties of both metals and non-metals.

Like boron carbide, titanium carbide is extremely hard, ranking between 9 and 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. It’s also resistant to wear, corrosion, and high temperatures, making it an ideal material for cutting tools and other machining applications.

Like all the carbide compounds before it, titanium carbide is incredibly hard so it can be difficult to work with. Similarly, it’s also very expensive to purchase in high quantities.

Moh’s Hardness Scale: 9.5 (nearly as hard as diamond)

Common Titanium Carbide Applications:

• Cutting tools
• Abrasive materials
• Wear-resistant coatings
• Refractory materials

5. Calcium Carbide

As you’ve likely guessed by now, calcium carbide is made up of calcium and carbon atoms. It’s classified as an inorganic compound, meaning it doesn’t contain any carbon-hydrogen bonds.

On the Mohs hardness scale, calcium carbide only ranks between a 3 and 4, making it one of the softer carbides. However, it’s still harder than most metals and alloys, making it suitable for use as an abrasive material for certain applications.

Calcium carbide is also used to create acetylene gas, which has a variety of uses in welding, cutting, and other industrial processes.

Moh’s Hardness Scale: 3.5 (about as hard as a copper penny)

Common Calcium Carbide Applications:

• Abrasive materials
• Welding rod coatings
• Production of acetylene gas

6. Aluminum Carbide

Last but not least, aluminum carbide is made up of aluminum and carbon atoms. It’s classified as an interstitial compound, meaning the atoms are arranged in a way that leaves gaps or “holes” in its chemical structure.

Aluminum carbide is relatively soft, with a Mohs hardness scale rating of only 2.5 to 3. On the plus side, it’s a very lightweight substance and has good heat conductivity.

Despite its softness, aluminum carbide is still harder than many metals and alloys. It’s also chemically resistant and can withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for use in abrasive applications and other industrial processes.

Moh’s Hardness Scale: 2.5 (roughly the hardness of your fingernail)

Common Aluminum Carbide Applications:

• Abrasive materials
• Refractory materials
• Ceramic products

DISCOVER MORE AT COMPLETE CARBIDE

As you can see, each of these carbide compounds has its own unique set of properties that make it suitable for a wide range of applications. So, whether you’re looking for a material for cutting tools, abrasive applications, or something else entirely, there’s sure to be a type of carbide that’s perfect for your needs.

If you want to learn more, check out some of our other recent posts. We cover the three forms of tungsten carbide, the top six industries that use carbide, and how to identify carbide scraps from other metals.

Do you still have questions? Contact the industry experts at Complete Carbide—we’re always happy to help! And if you want the highest quality tungsten carbide at competitive prices, check out our full inventory of carbide rods and STB strips today.