Carbide cutting tools – also referred to as carbide-tipped tools – are the gold standard in machining today, providing better results and longer wear than other devices. Let’s look at some of the advantages of choosing carbide.
What is Carbide and Why is it the Best Choice in Cutting Tools?
Chemically, carbide simply refers to a combination of carbon and another material, such as boron, silicon or any metal. These substances are tough, long-lasting and resistant to wear, making them an excellent choice in industrial cutting tools. A carbide tool can last ten to twenty times longer than a similar one made entirely from a single material!
There are several grades of carbide tools, sorted by their resilience and durability. These include:
- Wear grades, typically used in dies and machine or tool guides.
- Impact grades, with higher resistance to shock, used in dies and stamping.
- Cutting grades, used exclusively for cutting.
A cutting tool with carbide edges or tips will typically be made primarily from steel, with the carbide added only to the cutting or impact surfaces. Doing this allows the items to be more easily affordable, while retaining the benefits of carbide construction. Retailers who deal in tools and machinery market carbide cutters to every type of manufacturer, since the various applications of carbide to tools makes them incredibly versatile.
A Collection of Chemicals
There are a variety of types of carbide, including:
- Silicon carbide
- Aluminum carbide
- Calcium carbide
- Iron carbide
- Tungsten carbide
These chemicals are all used in various machinery components such as carbide cutting tools and stamps, as well as in smaller applications. Some ball point pens even have carbide balls to give them a longer life and smoother roll! No matter the use, carbide chemical compounds are the workhorses of the machining world, improving mechanical longevity and life across the board.
