Tungsten carbide, also known as hardmetal, refers to a sintered composite material that contains at least one metal carbide. Common components of tungsten carbide include tungsten carbide, cobalt carbide, niobium carbide, titanium carbide, and tantalum carbide. The grain size of the carbide components (or phases) typically ranges between 0.2 and 10 micrometers, with the carbide grains bonded together using a metallic binder. The binder is usually cobalt (Co), but for some special applications, nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), or other metals and alloys may also be used. A specific combination of carbide and binder components is referred to as a "grade."

Tungsten carbide is categorized according to ISO standards. This categorization is based on the material type of the workpiece (e.g., P, M, K, N, S, H grades). The bonding phase components are primarily utilized for their strength and corrosion resistance.

The tungsten steel matrix consists of two parts: one is the硬化 phase; the other is the bonding metal. The bonding metal is generally a ferrous metal, with cobalt and nickel being commonly used. As a result, alloys such as tungsten-cobalt, tungsten-nickel, and tungsten-titanium-cobalt alloys have emerged.

Tungsten-containing steels, such as high-speed steels and certain heat-resistant mold steels, significantly enhance the hardness and heat resistance of the steel, but drastically reduce its toughness.

Wolfram resources are primarily used in hardmetals, commonly referred to as tungsten steel. Hardmetals, known as the "teeth of modern industry," have a wide range of applications in tungsten steel products.