Which material is commonly used for cutting tool tips due to its hardness and high melting point?

Which material is commonly used for cutting tool tips due to its hardness and high melting point?

• A. Tungsten Carbide
• B. Glass
• C. Ceramic Bearing Material
• D. Phenol Formaldehyde

Answer: (A)

Hardness and a high melting point are essential for cutting tool tips because they determine how long the edge stays sharp and how well it resists wear and softening under high temperatures during cutting. Tungsten carbide fits this need exceptionally well. It’s a cemented carbide, meaning hard tungsten carbide grains are bound together by a tougher metal (typically cobalt), giving a combination of extreme hardness and good toughness. It also has a very high operating temperature range, so the edge doesn’t quickly dull as heat builds up in the cut. This makes tungsten carbide the standard choice for many cutting tools. Glass would crack or shatter under cutting loads and heat. Ceramic bearing materials can be very hard but tend to be brittle and prone to fracture when used as tool tips. Phenol formaldehyde is a plastic that cannot maintain a sharp edge under cutting temperatures and would deform or wear away rapidly.

Hardness and a high melting point are essential for cutting tool tips because they determine how long the edge stays sharp and how well it resists wear and softening under high temperatures during cutting. Tungsten carbide fits this need exceptionally well. It’s a cemented carbide, meaning hard tungsten carbide grains are bound together by a tougher metal (typically cobalt), giving a combination of extreme hardness and good toughness. It also has a very high operating temperature range, so the edge doesn’t quickly dull as heat builds up in the cut. This makes tungsten carbide the standard choice for many cutting tools.

Glass would crack or shatter under cutting loads and heat. Ceramic bearing materials can be very hard but tend to be brittle and prone to fracture when used as tool tips. Phenol formaldehyde is a plastic that cannot maintain a sharp edge under cutting temperatures and would deform or wear away rapidly.