Cemented carbide refers to a sintered composite material with at least one metallic carbide. Tungsten carbide(WC), titanium carbide (TiC) and TaC are the most common constituents. The grain size of the carbide constituents (or phase) is normally between 0.2-10 microns. The grains of the carbides are cemented together via metal binder. Binder is usually cobalt and nickel(Ni), iron(Fe) or other metals&alloys can also be used for some special applications. The combination of a specific carbide and binder components is called “grade”.

In engineering applications the wear resistance of carbide or “hard phase”

Is taken advantage of and mainly the strength and corrosion resistance of the binder phase is taken advantage of.