tungsten carbide

American  

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.

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tungsten carbide British  

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

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tungsten carbide Scientific  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of tungsten carbide

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

In the mill, small tungsten carbide balls bombarded the oil at high speeds, breaking apart some of the polymer's chemical bonds and forming new molecules.

From Science Daily

"You've got to put your body into it," says Prof Mauro, of Pennsylvania State University, as he describes how the glass must first be scratched deeply with diamond or tungsten carbide stylus - and then hammered by a post-doctoral student wielding a mallet.

From BBC

The ring itself is made from “fighter jet” titanium and features a tungsten carbide coating for extra durability.

From The Verge

The Ultrahuman Ring comes in four colors and is made from titanium with a tungsten carbide coating.

From The Verge

Online video demonstrations of reciprocating saws show that commercially available diamond grit and tungsten carbide blades are capable of slicing through thick pieces of steel and concrete in significantly less time.

From Washington Post