Researchers Achieve 3D Printing of Cemented Carbide, One of Earth's Hardest Metals

Researchers solved a longstanding additive manufacturing challenge by introducing a nickel alloy intermediate layer with precise temperature control to 3D print cemented carbide — tungsten carbide bonded with cobalt — while preserving the material's hardness. The breakthrough enables on-demand manufacturing of wear-resistant industrial tooling and could accelerate adoption in aerospace and defense applications where carbide components face long lead times.