Tungsten Monocarbide, WC

Tungsten Monocarbide, WC, is obtained by heating a mixture of tungstic anhydride and carbon, in presence of a large excess of iron, in an electric furnace, or by heating finely powdered tungsten, or the anhydride, at 800° C. in an atmosphere of methane and hydrogen (1:1). It is a dark grey, crystalline powder, of density 15.7 at 18° C., and is harder-than quartz. When heated strongly it decomposes, yielding graphite and lower carbides; whilst in presence of air it forms tungstic anhydride and carbon dioxide.