tungsten carbide

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noun

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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Origin of tungsten carbide

First recorded in 1895–1900

Words nearby tungsten carbide

tungo, tung oil, tung-oil tree, tungstate, tungsten, tungsten carbide, tungsten lamp, tungsten rating, tungsten steel, tungsten trioxide, tungstic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tungsten carbide in a sentence

By building a tungsten carbide rod and 800-grit diamond plate into the buckle, and adding a six-inch leather strop to the strap, the belt allows you to sharpen knives and fishing hooks in the field.
The Gear Our Editors Loved in April|The Editors|May 3, 2021|Outside Online
The raw materials— tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold—were dubbed “conflict minerals.”
Aaron Rodgers Takes Aim at Congo’s ‘Blood Minerals’ War|John Prendergast|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Mojave is rich with silver, tungsten, gold, and iron deposits.
The Mole Man’s Tunnel to Nowhere|Nina Strochlic|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In China, for example, tungsten, tantalum, tin and gold are mined and ore is imported from other countries.
Helter Smelter No More: Moving to Conflict Free Minerals|Intel|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Tungsten, tantalum, tin and gold are used to produce many common consumer electronics devices.
Will You Choose a Conflict-Free Microprocessor?|Intel|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And when you review the periodic table, take special note of Tungsten, or Wolfram.
How I Write: Doug Dorst|Noah Charney|February 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The one marking the carbide was blown away, and it was two days before Dovers finally unearthed it.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson
This property may be increased by alloying the steel with tungsten and hardening it before it is magnetized.
Aviation Engines|Victor Wilfred Pag
Magneto field magnets are always made of tungsten steel alloy, so treated that it will retain its magnetism for lengthy periods.
Aviation Engines|Victor Wilfred Pag
The operation of mounting Tungsten filaments in small copper wire is very much like threading an exceedingly small needle.
Consumers and Wage-Earners|J. Elliot Ross
Thus far carbide has been found industrially valuable for two other purposes.
Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, July 1899|Various

British Dictionary definitions for tungsten carbide

tungsten carbide

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for tungsten carbide

tungsten carbide

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.