tungsten carbide

noun

1. a very hard, black or gray compound of tungsten and carbon, used in the manufacture of cutting and abrasion tools, dies, and wear-resistant machine parts.

tungsten carbide

noun

1. a fine very hard crystalline grey powder produced by heating tungsten and carbon to a very high temperature: used in the manufacture of drill bits, dies, etc. Symbol: WC; melting pt: 2870°C

tungsten carbide

1. An inorganic carbon compound that forms a fine gray powder whose grains are dense and extremely hard. Tungsten carbide is used in tools, dies, wear-resistant machine parts, and abrasives. Chemical formula: WC.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tungsten carbide¹

First recorded in 1895–1900