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

"These big bulky polymer chains can interact with the tungsten carbide much easier because they don't have micropores that cause limitations with typical platinum-based catalysts."

From Science Daily • Jan. 24, 2026

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

From The Verge • Jul. 6, 2022

Their bottoms are flecked with tungsten carbide studs.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 22, 2016

Crushing happens in giant drums equipped with tungsten carbide studs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2016

The difference is that, in this case, the stronger fibers are borazon—boron nitride formed under tremendous pressure—while the softer matrix is composed of tungsten carbide.

From Thin Edge by Garrett, Randall