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Tungsten carbide (cemented)

Synonyms & Trade Names
Cemented tungsten carbide, Cemented WC, Hard metal [Note: The tungsten carbide (WC) content is generally 85-95% & the cobalt content is generally 5-15%.] [1: 85% WC, 15% Co 2: 92% WC, 8% Co 3: 78% WC, 14% Co, 8% Ti]
CAS No.
1: 11107-01-0
2: 12718-69-3
3: 37329-49-0
RTECS No.
1: YO7350000
2: YO7525000
3: YO7700000
DOT ID & Guide
Formula
WC/​Co/​Ni/​Ti
Conversion
IDLH
N.D.
See: IDLH INDEX
Exposure Limits
NIOSH REL
: See Appendix C
OSHA PEL
†: See Appendix C
Measurement Methods

None available
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Physical Description
A mixture of tungsten carbide, cobalt, and sometimes other metals & metal oxides or carbides.
Properties vary depending upon the specific mixture.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities
Tungsten carbide: Fluorine, chlorine trifluoride, oxides of nitrogen, lead dioxide
Exposure Routes
inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms
irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system; possible skin sensitization to cobalt, nickel; diffuse pulmonary fibrosis; loss of appetite, nausea, cough; blood changes
Target Organs
Eyes, skin, respiratory system, blood
Personal Protection/Sanitation
(See protection codes)
Skin: Prevent skin contact
Eyes: Prevent eye contact
Wash skin: When contaminated/Daily (Ni)
Remove: When wet or contaminated
Change: Daily
First Aid
(See procedures)
Eye: Irrigate immediately
Skin: Soap wash
Breathing: Fresh air
Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations

NIOSH

Up to 0.25 mg Co/m3:
(APF = 5) Any quarter-mask respirator.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.

Up to 0.5 mg Co/m3:
(APF = 10) Any particulate respirator equipped with an N95, R95, or P95 filter (including N95, R95, and P95 filtering facepieces) except quarter-mask respirators. The following filters may also be used: N99, R99, P99, N100, R100, P100.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.*
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator*

Up to 1.25 mg Co/m3:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode*
(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter.*
(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter.*

Up to 2.5 mg Co/m3:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece

Up to 20 mg Co/m3:
(APF = 2000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode

Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Tungsten carbide (cemented) containing Nickel:

NIOSH

At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection

See also: INTRODUCTION
 

Order NIOSH Publications

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