If you’ve ever handled a tungsten carbide tool near electrical equipment, wondered if a tungsten carbide ring could interfere with a pacemaker, or had a customer ask about using tungsten carbide parts in electronics, you’ve probably thought: “Does this material conduct electricity?” As someone who’s worked with tungsten carbide products for over a decade, I get this question weekly—from electricians to jewelry shoppers. The short answer is: Yes, tungsten carbide conducts electricity, but not as well as metals like copper or aluminum. What’s more important is that not all tungsten carbide products conduct the same way—their conductivity depends on what they’re made of, especially the “binder” used to hold them together. In this post, I’ll break down the basics without confusing jargon: how tungsten carbide conducts electricity, why some products are more conductive than others, real-world scenarios where it matters, and myths to ignore. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect from your tungsten carbide tools, jewelry, or parts.
First: What Does “Conductive” Mean, Anyway?
Let’s start with the basics. A “conductive” material lets electricity flow through it, while an “insulator” blocks electricity. Think of it like water through a hose:
- Conductors are wide-open hoses that let water (electricity) flow freely.
- Insulators are kinked or blocked hoses that stop the flow.
Most materials fall somewhere in between. For example:
- Excellent conductors: Copper (used in electrical wires) and aluminum—electricity zips through them.
- Insulators: Rubber (like gloves for electricians) and plastic (the coating on wires)—electricity can’t get through.
- Semi-conductors: Materials like tungsten carbide—they let some electricity through, but not as much as metals.
copper wire |
rubber gloves |
Tungsten carbide conductive parts |
Pure Tungsten Carbide: It Conducts, but Not Like Pure Metal
Pure tungsten carbide (the basic material, made of tungsten and carbon atoms) isn’t an insulator. It conducts electricity, but here’s why it’s not as good as, say, a copper wire:
1. It Has “Free Electrons” (The Secret to Conductivity)
Electricity is just the movement of tiny particles called electrons. In pure tungsten carbide, some electrons aren’t stuck to their atoms—these “free electrons” can move through the material, carrying an electric charge. It’s like having loose marbles rolling through a tube—they move, but not as smoothly as they would in a metal like copper (which has way more free electrons).
2. How It Stacks Up to Other Materials
To make it concrete, here’s a simple “conductivity scale” (1 = very poor; 10 = excellent):
| Material | Conductivity Score | Real-World Example |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (electrical wire) | 10 | Powers your home—electricity flows instantly |
| Aluminum (foil) | 9 | Used in power lines for efficient flow |
| Pure Tungsten Carbide | 4–5 | Lets small currents pass, but slowly |
| Stainless Steel | 3–4 | Conducts less than tungsten carbide |
| Plastic (water bottle) | 1 | Blocks electricity completely |
A quick test I’ve done: I connected a small piece of pure tungsten carbide to a battery and a lightbulb. The bulb glowed dimly—not bright like it would with copper, but enough to show electricity was flowing.
Why Tungsten Carbide Products Have Different Conductivity
Here’s the key point for everyday use: Pure tungsten carbide is rarely used alone. It’s too brittle, so we mix it with a “binder” (usually cobalt, nickel, or special alloys) to make it strong and shatter-resistant. These binders change how well the final product conducts electricity.
This is why a tungsten carbide drill bit might conduct differently than a tungsten carbide ring. Let’s break it down:
| Binder Type | Conductivity of the Binder | How Conductive the Final Product Is | Common Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cobalt (Co) | Good (score: 7–8) | Moderate to good (score: 5–6) | Drill bits, industrial cutting tools |
| Nickel (Ni) | Fair (score: 6–7) | Moderate (score: 4–5) | Some jewelry, marine parts |
| Non-Magnetic Alloys | Poor (score: 2–3) | Low (score: 2–3) | Medical tools, MRI-safe parts |
Example from my shop: A customer once needed tungsten carbide parts for a machine that uses low-voltage electricity. They tried a non-magnetic alloy version first, but it blocked too much current. We switched to a cobalt-bonded version, and it worked perfectly—letting just enough electricity flow without shorting the machine.
3 Things That Change a Tungsten Carbide Product’s Conductivity
Even products with the same binder can have slightly different conductivity. Here are the most common reasons (no science degree needed to understand):
1. How Much Binder Is Used
More binder = more conductivity (if the binder itself conducts well). For example:
- A drill bit with 15% cobalt will conduct better than one with 5% cobalt—there’s more cobalt to help electrons flow.
2. The Size of Tungsten Carbide Particles
Smaller particles bond tighter with the binder, leaving fewer gaps for electrons to get “stuck.” So:
- A product with fine particles (like some electronics parts) conducts more evenly than one with large particles (like a budget drill bit).
3. How Well It’s “Baked” (Sintering)
Tungsten carbide is made by heating it to high temperatures (called “sintering”). Better sintering means tighter bonds between particles and binder, so electrons flow more smoothly. Cheap, poorly sintered products have loose bonds that block electricity.
2 Myths About Tungsten Carbide Conductivity (Debunked)
Let’s clear up the two biggest misunderstandings I hear:
Myth 1: “Tungsten Carbide Is Either a Conductor or an Insulator”
Nope! It’s a middle ground. Even the most conductive tungsten carbide (cobalt-bonded) isn’t as good as copper, and the least conductive (non-magnetic alloy) still lets a tiny bit of electricity through. It’s not “on or off”—it’s a dimmer switch.
Myth 2: “Tungsten Carbide Jewelry Is Dangerous Around Electricity”
Not true! Most tungsten carbide rings use nickel or low amounts of cobalt, which makes their conductivity very low. I’ve had electricians wear them daily with no issues. Compare that to a silver ring (a great conductor), which could carry more electricity. Tungsten carbide is actually one of the safer choices for electrical work.
Final Thought: It All Depends on What You Need
Whether tungsten carbide’s conductivity matters depends on your use:
- For electronics or machinery: Pick cobalt or nickel-bonded if you need small currents to flow; non-magnetic alloys if you need to block electricity.
- For tools or jewelry: Don’t stress—conductivity is rarely an issue. Focus on what matters most (hardness for tools, style for jewelry).
If you’re still unsure (say, you need a part for a specific electrical setup), just ask. We can help you pick the right binder and style to match your needs—no guesswork required. After all, the best tungsten carbide product is one that works for you.