Tungsten carbide balls' core advantages are their high density (typically between 14.5-15.0 g/cm3, with a typical value of 14.9 g/cm3) and excellent weight characteristics. Their density, approximately twice that of steel balls, directly determines their weight distribution, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. Specific characteristics and their impact are as follows:
I. Density Characteristics
1. Typical Density Range
The density of tungsten carbide balls is typically between 14.5-15.0 g/cm3, with the specific value depending on the composition (e.g., the cobalt content in the tungsten-cobalt alloy). For example, tungsten carbide balls with grades like YG6 and YG8 have a density close to 14.9 g/cm3. Tungsten carbide (W?C) derivatives have an even higher density, reaching 17.15 g/cm3, but are less commonly used.
2. Density Advantages
High Wear Resistance: Density is directly related to hardness. Tungsten carbide balls typically have a hardness of ≥90.5 HRA, and their wear resistance is tens to hundreds of times greater than that of traditional steel balls.
Corrosion Resistance: The high-density structure reduces porosity, lowering the risk of chemical penetration and offering excellent resistance to corrosive media such as acids and alkalis.
Bending Resistance: The increased density strengthens the material's internal bonding, making it less susceptible to deformation under high pressure or impact loads.
II. Weight Characteristics
1. Weight Calculation Formula
The weight of a tungsten carbide ball can be calculated using the formula:
Weight (g) = 0.5233 × D3 × Density × 0.001
Where D is the ball diameter (mm) and density is expressed in g/cm3. 2. Weight and Performance Correlation
High density leads to high weight: For the same volume, tungsten carbide balls weigh twice as much as steel balls. This characteristic makes them excellent in applications requiring high inertia or stability, such as precision bearings and ball screws.
Weight Uniformity: High-density materials reduce internal defects, ensuring uniform weight distribution, improving rotational accuracy and lifespan.
III. Application Impacts of Density and Weight
1. Improved Wear Resistance: High density makes the tungsten carbide ball surface denser, reducing wear particle shedding and extending service life. For example, in oilfield equipment, its wear resistance can support continuous operation, far exceeding that of steel balls.
2. Enhanced Corrosion Resistance: Increased density reduces material porosity, making tungsten carbide balls stable in corrosive environments such as chemical and marine environments, with a lifespan 3-5 times that of steel balls.
3. High-Temperature Stability
Tungsten carbide balls can operate at temperatures exceeding 400°C. Their density advantage results in a low coefficient of thermal expansion and high dimensional stability, making them suitable for applications in aerospace, precision instrumentation, and other fields.
