Composition: Primarily consist of tungsten carbide (WC) and a binder (e.g.. cobalt)

Hardness: Very high hardness (1,500-2,200 HV), abrasion-resistant

Toughness: Varies depending on binder content, generally brittle

Application: Ideal for punches, dies, and guide bushings in stamping and forming technology Due to its high hardness and wear resistance, carbide can withstand extreme pressures and high loads, making it particularly suitable for processing hard materials.

Temperature: Resistance: Up to 1,000 °C

Advantages: High wear resistance, high compressive strength, long service life

Manufacturing: Produced through powder metallurgy, resulting in an especially fine-grained and homogeneous structure.

Hardness: Can be very hard, depending on the alloy (up to 65 HRC)

Toughness: High toughness, less brittle than carbide

Application: Ideal for demanding stamping and bending tools such as bending punches, dies, and precision guides. The fine-grained structure and high toughness make PM steel particularly suitable for tools that must withstand repeated loads at high forces.

Temperature Resistance: Up to 600 °C, depending on the alloy.

Advantages: Good toughness and wear resistance, high precision due to fine grain structure

Composition: Alloyed with elements such as tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, cobalt.

Hardness: High hardness (approx. 60-67 HRC) with good toughness.

Toughness: Higher than carbide, less brittle.

Application: Suitable for bending and stamping tools that require high forming and cutting speeds, such as precision punches or blades for cutting thin sheets. HSS tools are easier to resharpen and offer good toughness at high cutting speeds.

Temperature Resistance: Up to 600-650 °C

Advantages: Good toughness and wear resistance, versatile in application.

Types: Common types include aluminum oxide, silicon nitride, and zirconium oxide.

Hardness: Very high hardness (1,200-2,000 HV depending on type).

Toughness: Low, very brittle and prone to fracture.

Application: In stamping, bending, and forming technology, technical ceramics are used in specialized parts such as guides and slide elements requiring low wear and low friction. Particularly suitable for precision guides and inserts needing high abrasion resistance and chemical inertness.

Temperature Resistance: Very high temperature resistance (over 1,200 °C, depending on material).

Advantages: Extremely wear-resistant, chemically inert, corrosion-resistant, high strength at high temperatures.