# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Tungsten carbide (cemented) | CAS 1: 11107-01-0 2: 12718-69-3 3: 37329-49-0
WC/Co/Ni/Ti | RTECS 1: Y07350000 2: Y07525000 3: YO7700000
Synonyms & Trade Names Cemented tungsten carbide, Cemented WC, Hard metal [Note: The tungsten carbide (WC) content is generally 85-95% & the cobalt content is generally 5-15%.] [1: 85% WC, 15% Co 2: 92% WC, 8% Co 3: 78% WC, 14% Co, 8% Ti] | DOT ID & Guide
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL: See Appendix C
OSHA PEL†: See Appendix C
IDLH N.D. | Conversion
Physical Description A mixture of tungsten carbide, cobalt, and sometimes other metals & metal oxides or carbides.
Properties vary depending upon the specific mixture. |  |  |
Incompatibilities & Reactivities Tungsten carbide: Fluorine, chlorine trifluoride, oxides of nitrogen, lead dioxide
Measurement Methods None available
Personal Protection & Sanitation Skin: Prevent skin contact Eyes: Prevent eye contact Wash skin: When contaminated/Daily (Ni) Remove: When wet or contaminated Change: Daily | First Aid (See procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately Skin: Soap wash Breathing: Fresh air Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH Up to 0.25 mg Co/m3: (APF = 5) Any dust and mist respirator^ Up to 0.5 mg Co/m3: (APF = 10) Any dust and mist respirator except single-use and quarter-mask respirators*^/(APF = 10) Any dust, mist, and fume respirator*/(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator* Up to 1.25 mg Co/m3: (APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode*/(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a dust and mist filter*^/(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a dust, mist, and fume filter* Up to 2.5 mg Co/m3: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece/(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece Up to 20 mg Co/m3: (APF = 2000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure- demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus NIOSH* At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure- demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus [*Note: Respirator for Tungsten carbide (cemented) containing Nickel.]
Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system; possible skin sensitization to cobalt, nickel; diffuse pulmonary fibrosis; loss of appetite, nausea, cough; blood changes
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system, blood
See also: INTRODUCTION