How to Care for Carbide Tooling During Production

Introduction

Proper care during production extends carbide tooling life and prevents costly damage. Simple practices protect your investment in expensive carbide dies and punches.

Handling

Never drop or strike carbide tools. Set them down gently. Even small impacts can cause invisible cracks that lead to catastrophic failure later.

Cleaning

Clean dies regularly to remove built-up material and lubricant. Use soft tools and solvents. Avoid abrasive cleaning that can scratch polished surfaces.

Inspection

Inspect die surfaces and edges regularly. Look for wear, chipping, or built-up material. Catch problems early before they affect part quality.

Lubrication

Ensure proper lubrication during production. Clean, correctly applied lubricant reduces friction and wear. Dirty or inadequate lubricant accelerates die wear.

Storage

When tools are not in use, store them properly with edge protection. Keep them in dry conditions with anti-rust protection. Do not stack tools loose.

Conclusion

Caring for carbide tooling during production is simple but important. Proper handling, cleaning, inspection, lubrication, and storage maximize tool life and return on investment.

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."