Which material is hard, abrasion resistant with a high melting point, used for cutting tool tips and jewellery?

• A. Tungsten Carbide
• B. Glass
• C. Ceramic Bearing Material
• D. Composite

Answer: (A)

The strongest match here is a material that combines extreme hardness, excellent wear resistance, and the ability to stay stable at high temperatures, which makes it ideal for sharp cutting edges as well as durable jewelry surfaces. Tungsten carbide achieves this through its cemented-carbine structure: tiny tungsten carbide grains bonded together with a metal binder. This yields edge-retaining hardness and superb abrasion resistance, so cutting tool tips stay sharp even under heavy grinding and heat. Its melting point is very high, so the edge doesn’t soften during machining, giving good performance at elevated temperatures.

For jewelry, tungsten carbide rings are famous for their exceptional scratch resistance, meaning they stay polished and look newer longer, again thanks to that same hardness. It’s dense and durable, with strong resistance to corrosion and wear, though its extreme hardness also means it’s brittle and can chip or crack if struck hard.

Glass, by contrast, is brittle and cannot withstand repeated abrasion or impact like a tool edge, and it lacks the toughness needed for durable cutting tools or long-lasting jewelry surfaces. Ceramic bearing materials are hard and withstand heat, but they’re typically brittle as well and not as well suited for cutting tool tips or common jewelry applications as tungsten carbide. Composites vary widely and don’t guarantee the same reliable combination of hardness, wear resistance, and high-temperature stability in these uses.