Comparing Different Grades of Tungsten Carbide Bushings

Tungsten carbide bushings are used in pumps, compressors, turbines, and many types of rotating machinery.

Their job is simple — to reduce friction and wear between moving parts. But not all tungsten carbide bushings are the same.

Different grades of tungsten carbide are designed for different working conditions. Choosing the right grade can affect your equipment’s life span, performance, and cost-efficiency.

In this guide, we’ll explain the main grades of tungsten carbide bushings, compare their properties, and help you understand which one is best for your specific process.

What Does “Grade” Mean in Tungsten Carbide?

The grade of tungsten carbide refers to the specific combination of grain size, binder content, and binder type used in its formulation.

Each of these factors changes the balance between hardness, toughness, and wear resistance.

Grain Size: Fine grains increase độ cứng but reduce độ dẻo dai.
Binder Type: Cobalt or nickel binders hold tungsten carbide particles together.
Binder Content: More binder makes the material tougher, but slightly softer.

Manufacturers create different grades to match specific industrial needs — from abrasive slurry to corrosive chemicals or high-speed shafts.

Common Tungsten Carbide Grades for Bushings

Below are the most common grades used in industrial bushings, along with their key characteristics.

Cấp	Loại chất kết dính	Binder (%)	Độ cứng (HRA)	Typical Application
YG6	Cobalt	6%	91	High wear resistance, low impact — seals, dies
YG8	Cobalt	8%	89	General purpose — good wear and toughness balance
YG11	Cobalt	11%	87	High-impact resistance — oil and gas pumps
YN6	Nickel	6%	90	Corrosion-resistant — chemical and seawater systems
YN9	Nickel	9%	88	Enhanced chemical and thermal stability

Understanding Grain Size and Its Effects

The grain size of tungsten carbide crystals has a strong effect on performance.

Fine-grain carbides (below 1 µm) are harder but less tough. Coarse-grain carbides (2–4 µm) are tougher but slightly softer.

Grain Type	Độ cứng	Độ dẻo dai	Sử dụng điển hình
Fine-grain (0.5–1 µm)	Rất cao	Vừa phải	Precision bushings, small pumps
Medium-grain (1–2 µm)	Balanced	Tốt	General industrial applications
Coarse-grain (2–4 µm)	Slightly Lower	Cao	High-impact pumps, drilling tools

In short, fine-grain grades are best for wear, while coarse-grain grades are best for impact resistance.

Cobalt vs Nickel Binder: What’s the Difference?

Cobalt and nickel are the two main binders in tungsten carbide bushings.

Cobalt-bonded grades (YG series) have high strength and độ dẻo dai. They’re ideal for mechanical shock or dry-running applications.
Nickel-bonded grades (YN series) provide superior khả năng chống ăn mòn and are widely used in chemical, seawater, or food machinery.

Nickel-bonded carbide also resists oxidation better at high temperatures.

Tài sản	Cobalt-Bonded Carbide	Cacbua liên kết niken
Độ dẻo dai	Cao	Vừa phải
Khả năng chống ăn mòn	Trung bình	Xuất sắc
Độ ổn định nhiệt	Tốt	Very Good
Ideal Application	Oil, gas, power equipment	Chemical, marine, and food machinery

Matching Grades to Real Applications

Choosing the right tungsten carbide grade depends on working media, load, and temperature.

Operating Condition	Recommended Grade	Key Advantage
High Wear, Low Impact	YG6	Superior hardness and wear resistance
Balanced Wear & Impact	YG8	All-purpose for general industrial use
High Vibration or Shock	YG11	Excellent toughness for impact load
Corrosive Media (Seawater, Acids)	YN6 or YN9	Resists chemical attack and oxidation

By aligning grade choice with your operating conditions, you can maximize bushing performance and reduce replacement frequency.

Final Verdict

No single tungsten carbide grade fits every situation.

YG6 and YG8 are economical choices for general khả năng chống mài mòn.
YG11 works best in high-impact or vibration environments.
YN6 and YN9 are ideal for corrosive or marine systems.

For most industrial users, working with a supplier who can recommend custom grades based on real operating data is the best long-term strategy.

Phần kết luận

Understanding tungsten carbide grades helps decision-makers avoid premature wear, unnecessary maintenance, and equipment downtime.

The right grade can make a significant difference in both performance and operating cost.

By considering grain size, binder type, and application environment, engineers can ensure each bushing performs to its full potential.

For pumps, compressors, and machinery that run continuously, choosing the correct tungsten carbide grade means higher uptime, longer lifespan, and stronger ROI.

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