Carbide rods are available in various diameters, lengths and carbide grades. They are also available with or without coolant holes. Depending on the application, rods can be supplied as standard products or as customised solutions. Additional machining operations, such as cylindrical grinding to diameter or cutting to length, are also available.
Carbide rods
Are you looking for carbide rods? At GSE Carbide, we have various types of carbide rods in stock in many different sizes.
- Wide range
- Large Stock
- Short lead times
Largest range of fixed lengths
GSE Carbide is a supplier for carbide rods of consistent quality. Thanks to our large stock and grinding service, all sizes are available immediately! So you can find all rods with diameters up to 40 mm and lengths up to 330 mm with us. We guarantee the traceability of our products through batch management. For carbide rods, we offer two product lines, namely the Superior line and the Essence line.
Superior carbide rods
Best choice if you are looking for the following:
- Very wide range selection
- Best ratio of quality and performance
- Highest performance in every area of application
Our Superior line gives a wide choice of various high-quality carbide grades for the highest performance in any application area. For instance, these are suitable for applications in the automotive, medical and aerospace industries, among others. The Superior line is also ideal for the production of specials and adding a diamond coating. Unlike the Essence line, the Superior line also includes carbide rods with coolant holes.
Essence carbide rods
Best choice if you are looking for the following:
- Constant quality
- Optimal ratio in price and quality
The Essence line is also suitable for multiple applications. These products are based on 10% cobalt and 90% tungsten. This material is used for the production of standard tools, among other things.
More about our carbide
Ground and unground rods
You will find ground carbide rods in both the Superior line and the Essence line. In the Superior line, you can also find unground carbide rods. View all our rods in our Carbide shop.
Diameter tolerances
The rods contain various diameter tolerances ranging from - (minus) sizes, such as h5, h6 or h7 to + (plus) sizes such as m7. The Superior line offers all desired tolerances, while the Essence line contains only carbide rods with h6 diameter tolerance.
Chamfer and/or Weldon flat
In both product lines, rods with chamfer are in stock as standard. For the Superior line, carbide rods that also contain a Weldon flat are also standard in stock. In our grinding shop, we can also grind a special chamfer and Weldon flat for rods from the Superior line. We can also cut all rods to the required size in our grinding shop.
Rods with coolant holes
Rods with coolant holes can also be provided with coolant hole connectors. Below is a selection of different coolant hole variations:
- Rods with 1 central coolant hole
- Rods with 2 straight coolant holes
- Rods with 2 helical coolant holes
- Rods with 3 helical coolant holes
- Rods with multiple Y-exits (2, 3, 4, 8 or 10)
Spiral
For our carbide rods with helical coolant holes we offer the following spiral angles:
- 15 degrees
- 30 degrees
- 40 degrees
Other coolant holes
Other coolant hole specifications
Are you looking for other coolant hole specifications? Please contact us, we will be happy to make you a tailored offer.
Grades
Several grades are available within our range (both rods and preforms). All grades are ISO-certified and perfectly tailored to the needs and applications of varying industries. Do you need advice? Feel free to contact us to find the right material.
Applications
Industries
Our material is used in the following industries, among others:
- Automotive
- Medical industry
- Aerospace
- Motor sports (such as Formula 1)
- Maritime industry
- Railway construction
- Mechanical engineering
- Construction
Machining of materials
Our diverse range of grades is suitable for machining different materials. For example, for machining metal, steel, cast iron, aluminium, titanium, plastic, textiles and wood.
Properties of our carbide
Depending on the application, we can apply the right grade. The differences lie in properties such as the percentage of cobalt, density, hardness, bending strength and grain size of the material.
Alongside you will find an overview of a number of grades we have in stock as standard. Curious about other specifications or looking for a different grade? If so, please contact us to discuss the requirements for your specific applications.
| Grade | For machining of |
| GSE06 (Superior) | Non-ferrous materials (such as wood and aluminium) and for diamond-coated tools |
| GSE10 (Superior) | Hardened steel, (stainless) steel, cast iron, aluminium and nickel and titanium alloys |
| GSE10F (Superior) | High-speed cutting of steel, cast iron, stainless steel and nickel and titanium alloys |
| GSE12 (Superior) | Suitable for high-speed milling, hardened (stainless) steel, fibreglass plastics and nickel and titanium alloys |
| Grade | Cobalt | Grain size (µm) |
| GSE06 (Superior) | 6% | 0.8 (1.0 also available) |
| GSE10 (Superior) | 10% | 0.8 |
| GSE10F (Superior) | 10% | 0.6 |
| GSE12 (Superior) | 12% | 0.4 (0.6 also available) |
| GSECS10 (Essence) | 10% | 0.8 |
Diamond coating
The 6% cobalt (GSE06) of our Superior line is ideal for tools to be diamond-coated. The composition of this carbide with a relatively larger grain ensures that the diamond coating adheres well to the carbide.
European regulations
GSE Carbide supplies high-quality carbide throughout Europe. All of GSE Technology’s carbide is registered with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), under number NG471113-47.
FAQ about carbide rods
What are the different options available for carbide rods?
Why use carbide rather than HSS?
Carbide is harder and more wear-resistant than HSS (High Speed Steel). As a result, tools stay sharp for longer and need to be replaced less often. In addition, carbide retains its properties better at higher temperatures, which often allows for higher cutting speeds. Which type of material is most suitable ultimately depends on the application.
Which grade of carbide is suitable for which application?
The right type of carbide depends on factors such as wear resistance, toughness and the load during use. Properties are determined, among other things, by the grain size of the tungsten carbide and the percentage of cobalt. Some grades are versatile, whilst others have been specifically developed for certain applications. If in doubt, seeking technical advice is often the best course of action.
What factors influence the price and delivery time of custom-made carbide rods?
Price and lead time are influenced by factors such as dimensions, tolerances, carbide grade, quantities and any coolant holes. Additional machining operations, such as grinding or cutting, may also affect the lead time. Technical specifications are therefore required for an accurate quotation, including diameter, length, desired quality and quantities.
Where does carbide come from?
Carbide consists mainly of tungsten carbide and a binder, usually cobalt. A large proportion of global tungsten production takes place in China. During production, powders are mixed, shaped by extrusion or pressing, and then sintered in special furnaces. This is followed by further processing, such as grinding or cutting.
How are carbide rods with coolant holes manufactured?
Carbide rods with coolant holes are produced by extrusion. In this process, a powder mixture is forced through a specially shaped die, creating both the external shape and the internal coolant holes. After forming, the material is dried, sintered and further processed. The coolant holes allow coolant to be delivered close to the cutting edge.
In which industries is carbide widely used, and why?
Carbide is widely used in industries where wear resistance, precision and a long service life are important. These include the machining industry, mechanical engineering, the automotive sector, aerospace and medical technology. Thanks to its high hardness and wear resistance, tools often last longer, which can help reduce downtime and lower production costs.
Is it possible to engrave carbide rods?
Yes, carbide rods can be engraved for identification or traceability purposes. This could include part numbers, batch codes or customer-specific markings. The most suitable engraving method depends on the dimensions of the rod, the available space and the desired legibility of the marking.