Tungsten carbide (WC) has been a key material in the production of diamond tools for decades. Its exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and ability to protect diamond during the most demanding applications make it an essential component. It is the ideal ally when it comes to cutting and polishing highly abrasive materials, ensuring high performance, stability, and operational continuity.

However, the demand for tungsten is becoming a critical issue for the global industry. More than 80% of global production is concentrated in China, creating a situation that exposes the entire supply chain to increasing risks: price fluctuations, trade restrictions, unpredictable industrial policies, and geopolitical tensions.

For these reasons, the European Union, the United States, and Japan have classified tungsten as a critical raw material, highlighting the urgency of finding alternatives and more sustainable solutions.

Industries and governments are already acting on multiple fronts: diversifying supply sources, increasing recycling activities, partially replacing critical materials, and developing new metallurgical solutions. Among these, the use of alternative binders based on iron, nickel, or copper, as well as advanced ceramic carbides, are emerging as concrete strategies to reduce the reliance on tungsten—and other strategic elements—in high-wear applications.

This is where Abra Iride’s commitment comes from, together with the University of Liège and several partners in the powder metallurgy sector, in developing new solutions capable of reducing dependence on this material.

Alternative Carbides: a Possible Substitute?

The project compared iron-based alloys reinforced with traditional WC-Co carbides and with alternative metallic carbides (MC). Through tribological tests and microscopic observations, the wear behavior of these materials was evaluated.

The results confirm the outstanding performance of WC-Co, which provides the best wear resistance and promotes the formation of a protective oxide layer during processing.

The samples reinforced with MC carbides showed both strengths and weaknesses: on one hand, good integration with the metal matrix and a certain chemical-protective activity; on the other, a brittle structure prone to cracking and higher wear.

A Path of Improvement

Despite the limitations identified, the research has opened the way to a promising development path.

The current work focuses on optimizing raw materials and production processes, with the aim of overcoming initial brittleness and enhancing the benefits of alternative carbides.

For Abra Iride, this challenge represents much more than a scientific exercise. It is about contributing to a more responsible approach to the future of the diamond tool industry, helping build more sustainable and resilient supply chains.

To read the full scientific article, LINK