Tungsten carbide (chemical formula: WC) is a chemical compound containing equal parts of tungsten and carbon atoms. Tungsten carbide has a high melting point (~2,870°C), high density (15.60 g/cm3) and low coefficient of thermal expansion (5.5µm/(m•K)). Bulk Tungsten carbide is characterized by properties such as high strength, toughness and hardness. One of the most popular uses for WC is in the form of "Cemented Carbides" (also known as hard-metals). Cemented Carbides are produced by 'cementing' grains of tungsten carbide with a metallic binder (Co, Ni, Fe), thus receiving a combination of high hardness and strength of the carbide with the toughness and plasticity of the metallic binder. Tungsten carbide is used for a variety of industrial and civil applications such as: metal cutting tools, cold forming tools, rolls for hot rolling, mining tools, civil engineering tools, wood working tools, etc.