Carbide (Cemented Tungsten Carbide)
Composite of tungsten carbide (WC) particles bonded by cobalt (Co). It is the dominant substrate for modern cutting tools.
Carbide, also called WC-Co or widia, is manufactured by powder metallurgy: WC grains (1–5 µm) are pressed and sintered with 6–15% cobalt as a binder. The result: hardness ~1600 HV, wear resistance 5–10× that of HSS.
Why saving matters
Tungsten is considered a critical raw material (EU, USA, Japan). About 80% of global refining is concentrated in a single country. Cobalt has 70% of reserves in a single region (DRC). Every gram of carbide avoided is a geopolitical and environmental gain.
The Hanna HR® system uses carbide only in the replaceable insert (a few grams) — not in the entire tool body. Result: up to −85% carbide consumption in series production.