Is Tungsten Carbide Conductive?

One of the main applications of tungsten carbide (WC) is in the production of cutting tools, molds, and other strong materials. Its extreme hardness and wear resistance make it the perfect choice for these applications. Nevertheless, one of the properties of tungsten carbide that might not be so desirable is its electrical conductivity so that it will often be a factor to consider for the people involved in the selection and application process. The matter of its conductivity raises a lot of questions: Is it possible for tungsten carbide to conduct electricity at all? What would be the extent of its electrical conductivity if it was able to conduct electricity? Through this blog post, the authors will discuss the subject from different aspects and thus assist you in getting a thorough understanding of tungsten carbide’s conductivity as well as making a rational choice according to your requirements.

Is Tungsten Carbide Conductive?

First of all, here is a simple and clear conclusion: Tungsten carbide has a certain degree of electrical conductivity, but its electrical conductivity is relatively weak and far inferior to that of common metals such as copper and iron. Its electrical conductivity lies between that of metals and ceramics. Therefore, in practical applications, if it is needed as a conductive material, certain adjustments and optimizations may be required.

A good comparison to illustrate the point is that tungsten carbide is to semiconductor material. Even though it’s much less efficient in electricity conduction than copper under ordinary circumstances, still it has a chance to do some conducting tasks in some very special circumstances, mainly if its structure and composition are just right.

Why Should We Pay Attention To The Conductivity Of Tungsten Carbide?

The electrical conductivity of tungsten carbide is a property that should definitely be most regarded. Talking about various uses, the conductivity of tungsten carbide is a decisive factor for numerous tasks.

Industry

In the event that you are involved with the design and manufacturing of tungsten carbide items (like cutting tools and molds, etc.), the electric current carrying ability of carbide may have a direct impact on the guaranteeing safe use of the product. In particular, in areas where electrostatics are very sensitive, over the top conductive property may lead the circuit faults or permit the static to accumulate which, in turn, could disrupt the normal running of the production machines.

Material selection

Tungsten carbide can be among the materials you are considering when making the decision on materials. To identify its usage in the mentioned areas of conducting materials like electrodes or conductive connectors, to begin with, you should be aware of its electrical conductivity.

Research

If you perform experimentation or research in areas like materials science and physics, learning about tungsten carbide’s conductive properties will allow you to have better control over the adjustable factors, and also, to prevent the occurrence of errors in the experiment due to fluctuation in the material’s properties.

Understanding the conductivity of tungsten carbide can not only help you avoid potential safety hazards, but also provide you with more explicit guidance during the selection or design process.

What Determines The Electrical Conductivity Of Tungsten Carbide?

To more accurately determine whether tungsten carbide is suitable for your application scenario, we need to understand the main factors that affect its electrical conductivity. The following points are the key factors affecting the electrical conductivity of tungsten carbide:

1. Ingredients

Pure tungsten carbide (WC) itself has relatively weak electrical conductivity. This is because as a hard ceramic, tungsten carbide has very limited electron mobility, which results in its inherently poor electrical conductivity.

However, adding metal binders (such as cobalt and nickel) can significantly improve the electrical conductivity of tungsten carbide. Metal binders not only enhance the toughness of the material but also make it easier for current to pass through tungsten carbide by providing a conductive bridge. Therefore, tungsten carbide with a high binder content has stronger electrical conductivity than pure tungsten carbide.

For instance, tungsten carbide containing 10% cobalt has much better electrical conductivity than pure tungsten carbide. Although it still cannot compare with the electrical conductivity of pure cobalt, its electrical conductivity has met certain specific industrial requirements.

2. Structure

The structural density and porosity of tungsten carbide also have a significant impact on its electrical conductivity. Tungsten carbide with a dense structure has better electrical conductivity than that with a porous structure. This is because pores can impede the flow of current, leading to an increase in resistance.

Therefore, when choosing tungsten carbide, if electrical conductivity is an important requirement, it is recommended to select tungsten carbide with a dense structure, which can maximize its electrical conductivity.

How To Deal With The Conductivity Of Tungsten Carbide According To The Demand?

After understanding the basic principle of the conductivity of tungsten carbide, let’s now discuss how to deal with the conductivity of tungsten carbide based on your actual needs. Here are some practical suggestions:

1. When the conductivity of tungsten carbide needs to be utilized:

If your design requires tungsten carbide to have a certain degree of electrical conductivity, you can choose tungsten carbide products with a higher content of metal binders (such as cobalt or nickel). Especially tungsten carbide containing 15% to 20% cobalt usually can provide sufficient electrical conductivity.

Meanwhile, select tungsten carbide materials with a dense structure to ensure that their electrical conductivity can be stably exerted.

2. When it is necessary to avoid the risks brought by the conductivity of tungsten carbide:

If you use tungsten carbide in an electrical environment and are concerned about the safety hazards brought by its conductivity, it is recommended to apply an insulating layer on the surface to prevent the current from flowing directly through the material.

In addition, if there is a possibility of static electricity accumulation in the environment, a grounding device can be equipped for tungsten carbide to reduce the risk of static electricity to equipment and personnel.

3. When unsure if it is applicable:

If you are not sure about the conductivity of a certain tungsten carbide material, you can check the technical parameters of the product. Many manufacturers will indicate the conductivity or resistance value. If there is no relevant data, a simple test can be conducted using a multimeter, and its conductivity can be judged by measuring the resistance value.

Through an in-depth analysis of the conductivity of tungsten carbide, the following two points are the core elements you should keep in mind:

Tungsten carbide has a certain degree of electrical conductivity, but it is much weaker than that of common metal materials. By adjusting the composition (such as adding a metal binder) and improving the structure (such as increasing density), its electrical conductivity can be enhanced to a certain extent.

When choosing the appropriate tungsten carbide product, a judgment should be made based on specific needs. If strong electrical conductivity is required, tungsten carbide with a high metal binder can be chosen. If it is necessary to avoid the safety hazards brought by conductivity, it can be dealt with through means such as insulation layers or grounding devices.

Whether in industrial production or scientific research experiments, understanding the electrical conductivity of tungsten carbide and making adjustments based on actual needs is the key to ensuring the safety and functionality of the material. If you need to customize tungsten carbide parts that meet specific conductive requirements, Carbure Tungsten focuses on the research and development and production of tungsten carbide parts and can provide suitable product solutions based on specific scenarios.

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