텅스텐 카바이드 부싱에서 코발트 바인더 함량의 역할

Tungsten carbide bushings are known for their exceptional 경도, 내마모성, 그리고 내구성.

They are used in demanding industries — from 석유와 가스 to chemical processing — where components must withstand friction, pressure, and corrosion.

However, what truly defines the performance of a tungsten carbide bushing is not just the tungsten carbide itself, but the binder metal that holds it together — most often cobalt.

The cobalt binder forms the metallic “glue” between the hard tungsten carbide grains, giving the bushing the right mix of 강인함 and hardness.

In this article, we’ll explore how cobalt binder content affects bushing properties, performance, and applications — and why getting this balance right is key for your process.

What Is a Cobalt Binder?

In tungsten carbide, about 85–95% of the material is made up of WC (tungsten carbide) grains — the hard ceramic particles that resist wear.

The remaining 5–15% is metallic binder, usually cobalt, which binds these grains together during sintering.

This binder phase plays a major role in controlling the mechanical strength, 강인함, and resistance to cracking of the final part.

When cobalt content is adjusted, it directly changes how the 텅스텐 카바이드 부싱 behaves in real operating conditions.

How Cobalt Binder Affects Key Properties

The percentage of cobalt binder typically ranges from 4% to 15%, depending on the grade and use case.

The chart below shows how this affects 경도, 강인함, 그리고 내마모성.

Cobalt Binder (%)	경도(HRA)	강인함	내마모성	일반적인 사용
4–6%	91–93	낮은	훌륭한	High wear, low impact environments
7–9%	89–91	중간	좋은	General-purpose bushings and tools
10–12%	87–89	높은	보통의	Impact-prone or high-vibration systems
13–15%	85–87	매우 높음	낮추다	Extreme shock or unlubricated applications

As you can see, higher cobalt content increases toughness but reduces hardness and wear resistance.

Finding the right balance between these properties is essential for reliable operation.

The Hardness–Toughness Trade-Off

This is the key engineering challenge in tungsten carbide design:

When you make a bushing harder, it becomes more brittle. When you make it tougher, it becomes softer.

Low cobalt (4–6%) → very hard, ideal for abrasive and high-speed environments.
Medium cobalt (7–9%) → balanced performance for mixed wear and impact.
High cobalt (10–15%) → better shock absorption but less resistant to abrasion.

Cobalt Content	경도 수준	인성 수준	Recommended Use
Low (4–6%)	매우 높음	낮은	Fine particles, sand, or slurry wear
Medium (7–9%)	균형 잡힌	균형 잡힌	General-purpose pumps and bearings
High (10–15%)	보통의	매우 높음	High-impact, unlubricated, or dry systems

The best grade depends on operating speed, lubrication, and medium.

How Cobalt Binder Impacts Wear Resistance

In bushings that operate under friction — such as pump sleeves or compressor bearings — 내마모성 is critical.

Cobalt acts as a “soft phase” between hard tungsten carbide grains. If there is too much cobalt, this metallic phase expands, causing:

Softer surface
Reduced abrasion resistance
Higher wear under sand or slurry

But too little cobalt makes the material brittle and prone to cracking under pressure.

That’s why medium binder levels (around 8–10%) are preferred for most industrial bushings — they provide excellent wear resistance without sacrificing toughness.

Thermal and Corrosion Performance

Cobalt-bonded tungsten carbide performs very well under high temperatures — up to 800°C in air and even higher in inert environments.

However, cobalt is chemically reactive, which makes it more vulnerable to corrosion in:

Acidic fluids
Seawater
Chloride-rich environments

In these cases, nickel-bonded tungsten carbide may be used instead, since nickel offers better 내식성, though with slightly less toughness.

바인더 유형	강인함	부식 저항성	Ideal Environment
Cobalt	높은	보통의	Abrasive and dry wear applications
Nickel	중간	훌륭한	Chemical, seawater, and corrosive fluids

For standard pump or compressor bushings, cobalt binders remain the industry standard — offering 강인함, shock resistance, and high-load endurance.

Selecting the Right Cobalt Content for Your Application

When selecting tungsten carbide bushings, consider the type of stress your system faces:

Application Type	Recommended Cobalt (%)	Reason / Key Advantage
Fine Particle or Slurry Wear	4–6%	높은 경도와 내마모성
Balanced Wear and Impact	7–9%	Versatile and reliable
High Vibration or Dry Operation	10–12%	More toughness, prevents fracture
Shock or misalignment-prone	13–15%	Extra ductility and strength

This ensures the bushing operates efficiently without premature wear or cracking.

Final Verdict

The cobalt binder content in tungsten carbide bushings defines their mechanical personality.

It decides how well the bushing can handle friction, pressure, impact, and corrosion.

Low cobalt → Hard and 내마모성.
Medium cobalt → Balanced and reliable for most systems.
High cobalt → Tough and shock-resistant, but less wear-resistant.

For most applications, 8–10% cobalt provides the best balance between strength and durability.

결론

Cobalt binder is the hidden factor that determines how well tungsten carbide bushings perform.

It connects the hardness of carbide with the toughness of metal, giving your equipment the best of both worlds.

By understanding how cobalt content affects hardness, wear, and toughness, engineers and procurement teams can select the perfect grade for their conditions — improving uptime and reducing maintenance costs.

The right cobalt percentage can make the difference between a bushing that lasts months and one that lasts years.

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