Water Jet Cutting Nozzles Made of Tungsten Carbide

Tungsten Carbides have varied applications and every day more and more industries are employing the compound for their production needs. One of the biggest users of tungsten carbide has been the cutting and drilling industry. With the need to increase efficiency and reduce cost, the wear-resistant material is particularly suitable. That is why water jet nozzles are made from tungsten carbide.

While for most other cutting and drilling industry products, the tip of the machine needs to be always in contact with the surface to do its job, Water Jet cutting machines do not need to do the same. With high-pressure water the specialized machines can cut through most surfaces simply with water or sometimes with the help of abrasives.

So, even when not coming in contact with the cutting surface directly, the water jet cutting machines are kept a fraction of a millimeter away and with the help of tapered nozzles, ejects high-pressure water to make the required cuts. The high pressure and need for longevity are why most of the nozzles for water jet cutting machines are trending towards use of tungsten carbide.

How are Water Jet Cutting Nozzles Made Using Tungsten Carbide?

Tungsten Carbide used in manufacturing process are kept in a powder form. Turning the powder into a solid part requires the part being put through the sintering process. Under high temperature and pressure, the powder is place in a die and given the required shape. That is how water jet cutting nozzles are made using tungsten carbide.

At above 2000 degree Celsius, the sintering process gives the pipe-like structure to the nozzle and some post production work is done so that the orifice at the connection point with the machine is larger in diameter than the tapered ejection part. The reason for a tapered end and larger attachment is to increase the pressure within the nozzle itself. Also, some even ask for extra ports on the side of the nozzle for delivery of abrasive material when cutting tougher materials. But you can use a contraption that houses the opening for external material with an intact two-hole nozzle attached to it.

Advantages of Using Tungsten Carbide Nozzles in Water Jet Cutting Machines

There are various materials that can be used to manufacture nozzles used in water jet cutting machines. Due to their material characteristics, any number of materials as well as their combination can be used to make nozzles. But there are some unique advantages of using Tungsten Carbide for manufacturing of nozzles used in water jet cutting machines. Here are some;

Hardness
Tungsten Carbide is one of the hardest reproducible and cheap chemical compounds in the world. The hardness of TC is closer to diamond than steel which comes in handy when it comes to cutting purposes.
Pressure Resistance
Along with being hard, the walls of tungsten carbide can be adjusted to resist various levels of pressure. Water Jet cutting machines work under high pressures ranging from 500mpa to 90,000mpa. So, high pressure resistance is always a plus for tungsten carbide.
Longevity
Any given tungsten carbide nozzle can work from 100 to 200hrs without the need for replacement. There is also the temperature resistance of the compound itself which has a higher melting and boiling point. This allows the material to last longer under immense hear and pressure. Neither steel or aluminum can give that kind of range so combined with hardness and pressure resistance, you can see how downtime will be little to no concern when using tungsten carbide nozzles.
Resale Value
Tungsten Carbide may be cheap but it is limited in nature so the scrap value of produced carbide parts is higher than other materials. There is a thriving resale market for tungsten carbide parts and the nozzles will retain its initial investment, with slight depreciation. But still, the product is perfect for ensuring higher level of productivity as well as investment security.

Eurobalt Engineering for Your Tungsten Carbide Nozzle Needs

At Eurobalt Engineering we have been working with tungsten carbides for a while now. With sintering process being one of our expertise as well, the material is suitable for our production. We have also produced tungsten carbide nozzles for few waterjet cutting machine manufacturers over the years. All are now satisfied customers providing glowing references to our work.

So, if you are in the market for nozzles or tungsten carbide parts, then look no further. We provide European standard quality with a price level that is extremely competitive. All we need is a drawing and quantity requirement to get us started then we will provide you with a price offer, production drawings and all the other expertise you may need to solve your production worries. So, give us a call or send an email with your requirements, we would be glad to be of any assistance.