In recent years, global tungsten ore shortages and supply chain fluctuations have led to continuously rising tungsten carbide powder prices, putting significant cost pressure on industries such as machining, oilfield equipment, and mining tools.
To help customers address this challenge, the R&D team at GUANGHAN N&D CARBIDE has spent one year successfully developing a new tungsten carbide material — L26. This new grade offers excellent physical properties at a significantly reduced cost, providing a high-performance, cost-effective alternative for the industry.
R&D Background: Market Challenges Drive Innovation
As raw material prices continue to climb, many customers face the dilemma of having orders but unable to afford production. In response, we launched a project to develop a high-performance, low-cost new carbide with the following goals:
● Replace traditional grades in medium/low impact, high wear resistance applications;
● Maintain key performance indicators while significantly reducing material costs.
After hundreds of formula adjustments and process optimizations, the L26 grade was finalized and moved to large-batch trial production.
Third-Party Testing: Impressive SGS Lab Results
L26 samples have been sent to SGS for independent testing. Key physical property data is as follows:
| Test Item | L26 Test Results | Comparison with Traditional Grades (YG6/YG8/YWN6/YWN8, etc) |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (HRA) | 90.8 | Comparable to conventional grades |
| Transverse Rupture Strength | Avg. 1,970 N/mm² (Max 2,203 N/mm²) | or to some conventional grades |
| Grain Size | Avg. 13.0 (Fine grain category) | Excellent toughness and wear resistance |
| Thermal Conductivity | Meets expectations for conventional heat dissipation needs | — |
The test results confirm: L26 grade achieves or approaches the performance levels of traditional grades in key indicators such as hardness, strength, and toughness — in some aspects, it even outperforms them.
Cost Advantage: Over 50% Reduction, Helping Customers Stay Competitive
Thanks to optimized material formulation and innovative production processes, the overall cost of L26 is over 50% lower than traditional YG/YWN series grades.
This means:
● Customers can compete more effectively with lower material costs;
● Orders previously unaffordable due to rising material prices are now viable;
● Profit margins are better protected.
Several customers have already completed L26 field testing and placed repeat orders. Feedback indicates: Performance meets our needs, and costs are significantly reduced.
Applications: Suitable Replacement for Multiple Traditional Grades
L26 is suitable for the following working conditions and product types:
Replaceable Traditional Grades:
YG6, YG8, YG10, YWN6, YWN8, YWN10, and more
Typical Applications:
● Flow control facilities (seal rings, bush/sleeves, wear parts, etc)
● Mining tools (wear parts, impact-resistant components)
● Machining (cutting tools, mold components)
● Other medium/low impact, high wear resistance applications
Conclusion: Innovation Drives Us Forward, Standing with Our Customers
At GUANGHAN N&D CARBIDE, we remain committed to a customer-first approach. In the face of market volatility, we choose to solve problems through technological innovation, not by compromising quality.
The launch of L26 reflects our commitment to helping customers reduce costs and improve efficiency. Moving forward, we will continue to develop high-performance, cost-effective tungsten carbide products, helping our partners navigate market cycles and achieve sustainable growth.
Sample Requests & Technical Inquiries
If you are interested in the L26 grade, please contact us:
Email us at: info@ndcarbide.com or sales@ndcarbide.com
Let the data speak — L26: Great Performance, Better Price.
Post time: Mar-13-2026
