Why choose tungsten carbide or widia?
When it comes to choosing our stone-cutting tools, efficiency is everything. Since tungsten carbide become widely available in 1930, it has revolutionised the majority of the technology intended to cut hard materials. Today, we’re going to let you know why you should choose tungsten carbide tools, also known as widia. Let’s get started!
What is tungsten carbide?
Tungsten is a hard metallic element that, in combination with carbon, forms a metal alloy known as tungsten carbide. Although in its most basic form, carbon is a very fine powder, it can be compressed in order to be used in industrial machinery, tools and abrasives.
What’s more, it’s a highly versatile material that can be adapted to offer a range of properties. It’s precisely for this reason that more and more people are opting for this material above steel options.
Widia cutting tools
Tools made from this material are highly resistant to abrasion and can withstand much higher temperatures than steel tools. Tungsten carbide surfaces are used for the machining of materials such as stainless steel or in intensive-use situations in which other alloys would have a very short useful life.
Tungsten carbide is the hardest commonly used metal. Only certain precious stones such as silicon carbide (carborundum) are harder and, unlike tungsten carbide, these materials may only be used as abrasives, and not as cutting blades.
Why choose tungsten carbide tools?
Although they’re more expensive than tools made from other materials, they’ll end up being much more economic in the long term, as they last up to one hundred times longer than steel and allow you to work with a greater variety of hard materials. It should also be noted that they are very easy to maintain.
Everything you need to know about stone-cutting tools Rock&Tools
At Rock&Tools we sell various widia (tungsten carbide) tools for working with stone. On our website, you’ll find a wide catalogue of the best tools to cut stone and, if you need more information about tungsten carbide, we recommend taking a look at this blog entry. Need more information about tools? Contact us for advice. Join our community! Follow us here, on our Art Space and on our social media.