Tungsten Carbide vs Diamond: Which Die Material to Use

Introduction

Drawing dies are made from tungsten carbide, natural diamond, or polycrystalline diamond. Each material has advantages depending on wire size, material, and production requirements.

Tungsten Carbide Dies

Carbide dies are cost-effective for medium and large wire sizes. They offer good wear resistance and are less brittle than diamond. They are the standard choice for steel wire, welding wire, and larger non-ferrous wire.

Natural Diamond Dies

Natural diamond dies offer the highest wear resistance for fine wire. They are used for very fine non-ferrous wire, such as electronics wire and wire bonding. However, they are brittle and can fracture under impact.

Polycrystalline Diamond Dies

PCD dies combine diamond wear resistance with toughness. They are used for medium wire sizes and hard materials like steel. PCD dies last longer than carbide while being less brittle than natural diamond.

Material Selection Guide

For fine non-ferrous wire, use natural diamond. For medium and large wire, carbide or PCD is preferred. The choice depends on wire material, diameter, production volume, and budget.

Cost Considerations

Diamond dies cost more upfront but last much longer for fine wire. Carbide dies offer the best value for larger sizes. Calculating cost per unit of production helps determine the optimal choice.

Conclusion

Both carbide and diamond dies have their place in wire drawing. Understanding their respective strengths helps manufacturers select the most economical and effective option.

References

GB/T 7714: GUPTA R, SONG J. Powder metallurgy processing and mechanical properties of cemented tungsten carbide composites[J]. International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials, 2020, 91: 105246.

APA 7th: Gupta, R., & Song, J. (2020). Powder metallurgy processing and mechanical properties of cemented tungsten carbide composites.

MLA 9th: Gupta, R., and J. Song. "Powder Metallurgy Processing and Mechanical Properties of Cemented Tungsten Carbide Composites."