The Moh's scale is used to reference the hardness of materials; this scale assigns values that range from 1 to 10. Diamond is the hardest material available with a hardness rating of 10. Tungsten carbide's hardness rating is 9; there are very few materials harder than tungsten carbide. Its tensile strength is up to 500,000 PSI at room temperature, and at 1,650 degrees, tungsten carbide offers the highest tensile strength of any metal. This material melts at 6,170 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tungsten carbide is four times harder than titanium and about twice as hard as steel. Titanium is almost half as heavy as stainless steel. Tungsten carbide is much heavier than titanium and almost twice as heavy as stainless steel. Titanium and other metals are much more ductile than tungsten carbide. A tungsten carbide ring will shatter into pieces under pressure, while rings made of other materials like titanium will bend and warp, not shatter under pressure. No other metal is more heat-resistant than tungsten carbide.
Many countries including the United States, China, Canada, Russia, Bolivia and Korea are major tungsten producers. China by itself controls approximately 40 percent of the world's tungsten reserves. Countries around the world collectively produce approximately 30,000 tons of tungsten carbide annually. Only a small percentage of the tungsten carbide produced is machined into tungsten carbide rings.
Despite the many advantages linked with tungsten carbide rings, there are several disadvantages offered by this material. Tungsten carbide wedding bands are some of the most expensive bands on the market. This is mainly due to high production costs. A tungsten workload must be heated to temperatures nearing tungsten's 6,170-degree melting point before it can be machined into ring form. Since tungsten carbide is so hard, it is very difficult to scratch. In order to engrave a tungsten carbide wedding band, an engraving bit that is harder than tungsten carbide must be employed. Diamond-tipped engraving bits are some of the only attachments available that can engrave a tungsten carbide ring.