Tungsten Carbide Crystal Shape and Grain Size
Carbide Crystal Shape:A ball or sphere is the strongest geometric shape.If long flat slopping wear curves are desired a more round the crystal WC grain is the stronger and less likely to be fractured or eroded by friction.if the function of the material is to both cut and wear,like in a mining or metal removal application,maintaining sharp points on the carbide crystal is important.
Grain Size of the Carbide Crystal:The larger the crystal grain yields better performance in cutting.The smaller the carbide crystal grain is better the wear performacne.Because it is not possible to have a uniform crystal grain structure,an average is the goal for specific results.In all cases the grain structure is a bell shaped curve with the majority will be desired grain.But large grains and small grains will also be present and act as a filler between the distribution and the binder alloy.
