What is Tungsten Carbide?
Can Tungsten Carbide Rings ever scratch?
Sizing
Engraving
Tungsten was discovered by Juan José and Fausto Elhuyar, Spanish chemists and brothers, in 1783 in samples of the mineral wolframite (Fe, Mn)WO4). Today, tungsten is primarily obtained from wolframite and scheelite (CaWO4) using the same basic method developed by José and Elhuyar. Tungsten ores are crushed, cleaned and treated with alkalis to form tungsten trioxide (WO3). Tungsten trioxide is then heated with carbon or hydrogen gas (H2), forming tungsten metal and carbon dioxide (CO2) or tungsten metal and water vapor (H2O).
What is Tungsten Carbide?
Pure tungsten is a light gray or whitish metal that is soft enough to be cut with a hacksaw and ductile enough to be drawn into wire or extruded into various shapes. If contaminated with other materials, tungsten becomes brittle and difficult to work with. Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metallic elements and is used to make filaments for incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent light bulbs and television tubes. Tungsten expands at nearly the same rate as borosilicate glass and is used to make metal to glass seals. Tungsten is also used as a target for X-ray production, as heating elements in electric furnaces and for parts of spacecraft and missiles which must withstand high temperatures.
Tungsten is alloyed with steel to form tough metals that are stable at high temperatures. Tungsten-steel alloys are used to make such things as high speed cutting tools and rocket engine nozzles.
Tungsten carbide (WC) is an extremely hard tungsten compound. It is used in the tips of drill bits, high speed cutting tools and in mining machinery. Tungsten disulfide (WS2) is a dry lubricant that can be used to temperatures as high as 500°C. Tungsten forms compounds with calcium and magnesium that have phosphorescent properties and are used in fluorescent light bulbs.
The unique formula of tungsten carbide allows these rings to be both visually stunning and durable enough for every-day use. You are no longer required to constantly remove and replace your ring in order to protect its finish.
Can Tungsten Carbide Rings ever scratch?
Tungsten carbide can only be scratched or damaged by extreme measures, like abrasion from diamonds or corundum. Consequently, activities that would normally require the removal of conventional wedding bands for their protection can be performed without concern by the wearer of a tungsten carbide ring. While extremely strong and scratch-resistant, Tungsten carbide is a bit more brittle than traditional metals used in wedding bands. All of our tungsten carbide wedding bands are comfort-fit style, providing optimal comfort while wearing the ring and when putting it on or removing it. Because our tungsten carbide wedding bands are engineered to be maintenance free.
We combine traditional precious metals with tungsten carbide to create a unique piece of jewelry with a style, polish, and texture that will last a lifetime. We offer tungsten carbide wedding bands with precious metal inlays of 18K Yellow Gold. The tungsten carbide portion of the ring will maintain its original polish and luster for life, while the softer inlaid precious metals will eventually develop a textured appearance over time, creating an attractive contrast against the lasting polish of the tungsten carbide. |
