Tungsten carbide

Tungsten carbide
Names
	IUPAC name Tungsten carbide
	Other names Tungsten(IV) carbide
Identifiers
CAS Number	12070-12-1 ;
3D model (JSmol)	(W+≡C−): Interactive image;
ChemSpider	2006424;
ECHA InfoCard	100.031.918
EC Number	235-123-0;
PubChem CID	2724274 (W+≡C−);
RTECS number	YO7250000;
UNII	PKZ44S724L ;
UN number	3178
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID4029305;
	InChI InChI=1S/C.W/q-1;+1 Key: UONOETXJSWQNOL-UHFFFAOYSA-N ;
	SMILES (W+≡C−): [C-]#[W+];
Properties
Chemical formula	WC
Molar mass	195.85 g·mol−1
Appearance	Grey-black lustrous solid
Density	15.6 g/cm3
Melting point	2,785–2,830 °C (5,045–5,126 °F; 3,058–3,103 K)
Boiling point	6,000 °C (10,830 °F; 6,270 K) ; at 760 mmHg
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Solubility	Soluble in HNO; 3, HF
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	1·10−5 cm3/mol
Thermal conductivity	110 W/(m·K)
Structure
Crystal structure	Hexagonal, hP2
Space group	P6m2, No. 187
Point group	6m2
Lattice constant	a = 2.906 Å, c = 2.837 Å α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 120°
Molecular shape	Trigonal prismatic (center at C)
Thermochemistry
Heat capacity (C)	39.8 J/(mol·K)
Std molar; entropy (S⦵298)	32.1 J/(mol·K)
Related compounds
Other anions	Tungsten boride; Tungsten nitride;
Other cations	Molybdenum carbide; Titanium carbide; Silicon carbide;
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). verify (what is ?) Infobox references

Tungsten carbide (chemical formula: W C) is a carbide containing equal parts of tungsten and carbon atoms. In its most basic form, tungsten carbide is a fine gray powder, but it can be pressed and formed into shapes through sintering for use in industrial machinery, engineering facilities, molding blocks, cutting tools, chisels, abrasives, armor-piercing bullets and jewelry.

Tungsten carbide is approximately three times as stiff as steel, with a Young's modulus of approximately 530–700 GPa, and is twice as dense as steel. It is comparable with corundum (α-Al₂O₃) in hardness, approaching that of a diamond, and can be polished and finished only with abrasives of superior hardness such as cubic boron nitride and diamond. Tungsten carbide tools can be operated at cutting speeds much higher than high-speed steel (a special steel blend for cutting tools).

Tungsten carbide powder was first synthesized by H. Moissan in 1893, and the industrial production of the cemented form started 20 to 25 years later (between 1913 and 1918).