Can Tungsten Carbide Rings Get Wet? A Guide for Industrial Use Cases

If you work with industrial equipment—like pumps, chemical reactors, or water treatment systems—you’ve probably wondered: “Can tungsten carbide rings (we’re talking industrial seal rings here, not jewelry!) get wet?” It’s a critical question, because these rings are often submerged in or exposed to water, coolant, or other liquids as part of their job. The short answer? Yes, most tungsten carbide seal rings can handle being wet—but it depends on the type of liquid, temperature, pressure, and how you maintain them. In this post, I’ll break down why tungsten carbide is water-friendly, which wet conditions need extra care, and simple tips to keep your seal rings working well even when they’re constantly exposed to fluids. No complex chemistry—just practical advice for real industrial settings.

First: Why Tungsten Carbide Rings Are Naturally “Water-Resistant”

Tungsten carbide’s ability to handle moisture starts with its basic properties—unlike some metals (like steel, which rusts) or even ceramics (which can absorb water), it’s built to resist water damage. Here’s why:

1. Chemically stable (no rust or corrosion from plain water)
   Tungsten carbide (WC) doesn’t react with pure water—even if it’s submerged for months. Unlike steel, which forms iron oxide (rust) when wet, tungsten carbide stays intact. You’ll never find a layer of “tungsten rust” on a seal ring that’s been in a freshwater pump.

2. Dense, non-porous surface
   Industrial tungsten carbide is made via sintering (high-heat pressing), which creates a super-dense structure with almost no tiny holes (porosity). Water can’t seep into the material—so it won’t swell, crack, or weaken from inside out, like a porous ceramic might.

3. Designed for fluid contact (it’s their job!)
   Most tungsten carbide seal rings are made specifically to work in fluid environments: think water pumps (submerged in coolant), chemical tanks (exposed to liquid reagents), or wastewater systems (in contact with dirty water). They’re not just “water-resistant”—they’re engineered for wet conditions.

Real example: A wastewater treatment plant we work with uses tungsten carbide seal rings in their centrifuges. These rings are submerged in dirty, chlorinated water 24/7—and they last 18–24 months before needing replacement. If they weren’t water-resistant, they’d fail in weeks.

3 Wet Conditions That Need Extra Care (They’re Not All the Same!)

While tungsten carbide handles plain water easily, some “wet” scenarios are trickier. The key is knowing which liquids or conditions can cause problems—and how to fix them.

1. Corrosive liquids (not just “water”—think acids, alkalis, or salts)

Plain water is fine, but water mixed with chemicals (like hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, or saltwater) can damage the ring—specifically the metal binder (usually cobalt) that holds the tungsten carbide particles together.

• What happens: For example, saltwater (like in marine pumps) can slowly corrode cobalt, making the ring brittle or creating tiny gaps in the seal. Over time, this leads to leaks.
• Fix: Choose a tungsten carbide ring with a corrosion-resistant binder, like nickel instead of cobalt. Nickel stands up to salts, acids, and alkalis much better than cobalt. A shipyard we worked with switched to nickel-bonded tungsten carbide rings in their seawater pumps—and cut leakages by 80%.

2. High-temperature, high-pressure water (like boiler or steam systems)

Water at extreme temps (over 200°C) or high pressure (over 100 bar)—think boiler feedwater or steam traps—can speed up wear on tungsten carbide rings.

• What happens: The heat softens the binder slightly, and the high pressure pushes the ring harder against its mating surface. This causes faster friction wear, even if the water itself is pure.
• Fix: Use a “high-temperature grade” tungsten carbide (with a heat-stabilized binder) and pair it with a lubricating fluid (like boiler oil) to reduce friction. A power plant once had to replace their seal rings every 3 months—after switching to heat-stabilized tungsten carbide, they now last 9 months.

3. Water with abrasive particles (like dirty water or slurry)

Water isn’t always clean—mining pumps handle water mixed with sand, gravel, or ore (called “slurry”), and construction equipment uses water with dust or debris. These tiny particles act like sandpaper on the tungsten carbide ring.

• What happens: The abrasive bits scratch the seal surface, creating gaps that let water leak. Even though tungsten carbide is hard, constant rubbing with sand will wear it down.
• Fix: Add a filter to the system to remove large particles, and choose a tungsten carbide ring with a “wear-resistant grade” (finer particles and more binder for extra toughness). A mining client added a simple screen filter to their slurry pump—and their tungsten carbide rings now last 6 months instead of 1.

4 Simple Tips to Keep Wet Tungsten Carbide Rings Working Longer

Even if your rings are in a “safe” wet environment, a little maintenance goes a long way. Here’s how to extend their life:

1. Clean them after exposure to dirty or chemical water
   If the ring touches slurry, saltwater, or chemicals, rinse it with plain water after use. This removes leftover particles or corrosive residues that could damage the binder over time. A quick hose-down takes 2 minutes and can add months to the ring’s life.

2. Check the seal surface for wear (monthly!)
   Wet conditions can hide small scratches or cracks—use a flashlight to inspect the ring’s sealing face every month. If you see tiny grooves or chips, replace the ring before it leaks. A small crack in a wet ring can turn into a big leak overnight.

3. Avoid “dry running” (even if it’s just for a minute)
   Tungsten carbide rings rely on fluid (like water) to lubricate the seal surface. If the pump or equipment runs without fluid (called “dry running”), the friction heats up the ring fast—even water-resistant rings can crack from the heat. Always make sure there’s fluid in the system before starting.

4. Match the ring to the fluid (don’t guess!)
   If you’re not sure which tungsten carbide ring works for your liquid, ask:

   • Is the fluid plain water, saltwater, or chemical? (Pick nickel binder for chemicals/salt.)
   • Is it hot (over 100°C) or high-pressure? (Choose heat-stabilized grades.)
   • Does it have sand or debris? (Go for wear-resistant grades.)
     Guessing can lead to early failure—we once had a client use a standard cobalt ring in a sulfuric acid tank; it failed in 3 weeks. The right nickel-bonded ring lasted a year.

Common Myth: “Tungsten Carbide Rings Can Handle Any Wet Condition”

Let’s bust one big misunderstanding: Not all tungsten carbide rings are the same. A ring made for freshwater pumps won’t work in a sulfuric acid tank, and a ring for low-pressure systems will fail in a high-pressure boiler. Water-resistance isn’t “one-size-fits-all”—it depends on the ring’s grade and the fluid it’s exposed to.

Another myth: “If it’s wet, it’s fine.” Even plain water can cause problems if the ring is worn or the system is dirty. Maintenance still matters!

Final Takeaway: Tungsten Carbide Rings Are Great for Wet Jobs—When You Choose the Right One

Tungsten carbide seal rings are absolutely designed to get wet—they’re some of the most reliable parts for fluid-handling equipment. The key isn’t avoiding moisture, but matching the ring’s grade to the type of liquid, temperature, and pressure in your system. With the right ring and simple maintenance, you’ll get years of leak-free performance—even when it’s submerged 24/7.

If you’re not sure which tungsten carbide ring works for your wet application (whether it’s a freshwater pump, marine system, or chemical reactor), reach out. We’ll help you pick the right grade based on your fluid and工况—no guesswork, just real-world experience. After all, the best water-resistant ring is the one that’s built for your job.