Tungsten Carbide is rarely used to make an entire tool due to its cost and brittleness compared to tough steel. Instead, it is strategically used in one of two ways:

• Carbide Tips and Inserts: The most common application is to braze or mechanically fit solid pieces of sintered carbide onto the working surfaces of steel tools. You see this on drill bits, roof drill bits, tunnel boring machine picks, and road planing teeth. The steel body provides structural support and absorbs energy, while the carbide tip does the actual cutting and grinding.

• Carbide Hardfacing: For larger surfaces or parts subject to extreme abrasion (like pump parts, valve seats, or conveyor screws), a wear-resistant coating is often applied. This is done through welding techniques like Thermal Spray or Hardfacing, where a powdered tungsten carbide material is fused to the steel surface, creating a protective, long-lasting layer.

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