What is tungsten carbide? Tungsten is an element that is fused with other materials to become the alloy tungsten carbide. The addition of other metals makes the tungsten carbide harder and more scratch resistant than tungsten alone. This alloy process is similar to the process that iron goes through to become steel. Tungsten carbide has been used in mechanical and industrial applications for many years, and recently has found new life as the longest lasting jewelry material known to man. Manufacturing: Tungsten is ground into a powder and mixed with other metals such as; niobium, tantalum, titanium, chromium, and nickel. The metals are then fused together in an oxygen free furnace, within a die-cast, at over 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Interestingly enough, the tungsten itself never melts and mixes with the other metals. Since tungsten has such an extremely high melting point, it can only be heated high enough to “sinter”, or adhere and bond to, the other metals. The nickel within the mixture is referred to as the “binder”, as it assists with the bonding process. Within mechanical and industrial applications, the binder for tungsten carbide is cobalt, but this is not used by reputable tungsten ring sizing manufacturers as it causes oxidation.
Cobalt is a common additive for many metal alloys, and there are plenty of manufacturer’s that try to cut corners by adding it to tungsten jewelry. In this case, that’s an extremely bad thing. If there’s any cobalt in the ring your skin will develop this greenish rash that will be very unsightly and really uncomfortable. That’s because cobalt will react with the oils in your skin. If the manufacturer isn’t upfront about their cobalt policy, hit the road and get yourself to someplace better at once! 3. Nickel or Not? Nickel is another common additive that people like to bring to the mix in order to reduce cost. Nickel isn’t nearly as bad as cobalt - it won’t react with your skin at all. However, it does weaken the tungsten a bit, meaning that your indestructible tungsten rings sizing really isn’t so tough any more. Will it hold up to most stresses? Most likely yes. It is a risk I’d take when purchasing an item known for its lifelong endurance? Definitely not. 4. Know Your Ring Size.
Since tungsten carbide rings are far too hard to be re-sized, there is no need to leave the interior of the ring less comfortable and flat. Keep in mind that the inability of tungsten bands sizing to be resized individually is important to consider when choosing a jewelry company. You definitely want to choose a company that has a truly free lifetime sizing and lifetime warranty that offers a replacement ring in the event you need a different sized ring. One caveat, many companies claim “lifetime sizing and lifetime warranty”, however; these companies also charge sizing fees and deductibles. Consumers should choose a jewelry company that offers truly free lifetime sizing and lifetime warranty. Tungsten carbide bands also have a few other features that men seem to appreciate. The first is the weight. Tungsten carbide is a very dense material, and is therefore heavier than any other traditional jewelry material. This added weight gives the ring a feeling of substance and ruggedness. Secondly, men and women alike tend to enjoy the coloring of tungsten carbide wedding bands. The high polish finish reflects both images and light, similar to polished chrome. Many tungsten wedding rings also have a brushed finish applied. This type of finish will still reflect a single point of light, but has a textured look that will not reflect images, yet it remains an attractive accent to the high polish finish.