Carbide can be classified according to different classification standards. Several common classification methods will be introduced below.

1.1 Classification by metal matrix

According to the different metal substrates, cemented carbide can be divided into three categories: cobalt-based cemented carbide, nickel-based cemented carbide and iron-based cemented carbide. 

1.1.1 Cobalt-based cemented carbide 

Cobalt-based cemented carbide uses cobalt as the main metal matrix and usually contains 10% to 30% of tungsten carbide particles. Cobalt-based cemented carbide has the advantages of high hardness, high strength, high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, etc., and is widely used in cutting tools, impact tools, mining tools and other fields. 

1.1.2 Nickel-based cemented carbide 

Nickel-based cemented carbide uses nickel as the main metal matrix and usually contains 10% to 25% of tungsten carbide particles. Nickel-based cemented carbide has the characteristics of high hardness, high strength, and corrosion resistance, and is widely used in aerospace, petrochemical, electronic materials and other fields. 

1.1.3 Iron-based cemented carbide 

Iron-based cemented carbide uses iron as the main metal matrix and usually contains 10% to 25% of tungsten carbide particles. Iron-based cemented carbide has the characteristics of high hardness, high strength and wear resistance, and is widely used in mining tools, construction tools, agricultural machinery and other fields. 

1.2 Classification by hard particles

Cemented carbide can also be classified according to different hard particles. Common ones include tungsten carbide series, titanium carbide series and tantalum carbide series. 

1.2.1 Tungsten carbide series 

Tungsten carbide series is the most common cemented carbide, and its hard particles are mainly composed of tungsten carbide (WC). Tungsten carbide has extremely high hardness and wear resistance, so tungsten carbide series cemented carbide is widely used in cutting tools, drill bits, grinding too.