Tungsten carbide and titanium both have become popular for use in men's jewelry in recent years. On first inspection these two metals may seem very similar, but in fact, there are many differences between the two, including the weight, ductility and price of the metals.

Cost
The price of titanium jewelry is generally much lower than the price of tungsten carbide. This is due to the equipment, labor and time required to achieve the desired appearance of tungsten. Another factor that contributes to the higher price of tungsten is the temperature required to melt and form the metal, which is 6000 degrees Fahrenheit. A specialized environment, such as a vacuum, is needed to achieve this temperature.

Ductility
Ductility is the amount a material will deform in response to stress. The ductility of titanium is greater than tungsten carbide. This means that if a titanium ring is subjected to a great stress, such as being run over by a car, it would bend out of its round shape. A ring that is constructed from tungsten carbide would completely shatter.

Allergic Reactions
For most people, titanium will not cause an allergic reaction. Some wearers may suffer an allergic reaction to tungsten carbide that contains the alloy cobalt. Interestingly, nickel, another alloy that utilized in tungsten carbide, does not cause an allergic reaction in people who are otherwise allergic to nickel.

Hardness
Both tungsten carbide and titanium are harder than gold, silver and platinum. This is because the alloys used in both metals offer strength to these metals that under most circumstances are virtually indestructible. If jewelry made from tungsten carbide and titanium were placed under extremely abrasive conditions, such as the cut of a diamond, a tungsten carbide ring would prove stronger than the titanium.

Weight
Titanium is generally lighter than tungsten because it has a lower density. On average, tungsten carbide is 90% heavier than stainless steel, while titanium is around 43% lighter than stainless steel.

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Tungsten jewelry has gained popularity due to both the modern look that the metal provides and its ability to resist scratching and bending.

Characteristics
Tungsten, also known as wolfram, is a gray transition metal that is mined in Europe, North America, South America and Asia. Along with its use in jewelry, the element is also used in electric lamps, X-rays and in the development of spacecraft.

Jewelry
In its raw state, tungsten is a very brittle metal that can be easily cut with a hacksaw. In order to create jewelry such as a ring or bracelet from tungsten, it must be strengthened. This is achieved by combining tungsten powder with carbon and another metal such as nickel or cobalt.

Use
Due to the weight of tungsten jewelry, it is not typically used in earrings and pendants. It is more common to find tungsten carbide in rings, bracelets and watches. Jewelry made from tungsten will resist scratching, bending and stretching better than gold or silver.

Appearance
Tungsten carbide jewelry features a darker hue that can be polished to resemble hematite. When mixed with nickel, the resulting appearance is similar to that of platinum.

Care
Due to the metal's ability to maintain shape and shine over time, very little care is required for tungsten jewelry. Retailers of tungsten carbide jewelry caution against cleaning with chemicals or with ultrasonic cleaners, suggesting soap and water instead.

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Tungsten disulfide is commonly known by its chemical formula, WS2. Tungsten disulfide can be used as a dry lubricant for mechanical parts, and is often preferred because it can be used within a wide range of temperatures and will not introduce contaminants into the machinery.

Sandblasting equipment can be used to apply the lubricant. Otherwise, WS2 can be applied with a buffing wheel. If the WS2 can be mixed with wet lubricants in your application, it may be added to oil or other lubricants. If you are applying WS2 to small parts, a tumbler may be used.

Instructions

Buffing

1
Clean the part with a rag to get all of the grease off.

2
Mix the tungsten disulfide powder with rubbing alcohol in a small glass jar. Start by pouring in just a small amount of alcohol and mixing thoroughly with a spoon. Keep pouring more alcohol until you have a grey paste.

3
Spread the paste onto the part and the buffing wheel. Allow them some time to dry thoroughly.

4
Turn on the wheel and press the part up against it, turning the part and buffing it until the part is coated a grey color.

Tumbling

5
Clean the part with a rag to get all of the grease off.

6
Put several of your small parts or bullets into the empty aspirin bottle.

7
Fill the bottle three-quarters of the way up with tungsten disulfide.

8
Place the bottle in the tumbler. Turn the tumbler on for approximately five hours.

Add Tungsten Disulfide to Lubrication

9
Clean the part with a rag to get all of the grease off.

10
Mix some tungsten disulfide in with fresh lubrication, oil or grease.

11
Grease the part, change the oil oar and apply the new lubrication. The tungsten disulfide will slowly coat the parts as the lubrication moves through the machinery.

Sand Blasting

12
Clean the part with a rag to get all of the grease off.

13
Blast the part with a light layer of aluminum oxide.

14
Clean the part off with a clean soft cloth so there is no trace of aluminum oxide powder.

15
Set the sand blaster to 120 PSI and to cold pneumatic air. Blast the tungsten disulfide onto the part until the part becomes a silver-grey color.

16
Clean the excess tungsten disulfide dust off with another clean cloth. Do not rub too hard or you will remove the powder.

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Tungsten carbide has become one of the more popular nontraditional rings. Known for its strength and durability, the symbolism of tungsten carbide in wedding rings is undeniable. However, there are a number of rings on the market that are made using cobalt, rather than tungsten carbide, and that can create an entirely different sort of ring.

Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten carbide in its normal form is nothing more than a powder. Both tungsten powder and carbide powder have to be brought together and forged at very high temperatures to create the necessary bond that will result in a tungsten carbide ring. This process can be difficult and expensive, but it yields a high-quality product that will last for a long time.

Cobalt
Many rings that claim to be tungsten carbide are actually cobalt and carbide, or a mixture of tungsten, cobalt and carbide. Cobalt is much easier to form a bond with, and the forging can be done at a lower temperature for less cost.

Effects
There are a lot of downsides that come along with a tungsten carbide ring that has cobalt in it. For one thing, while you wear it, the cobalt in the ring will react with the natural oils produced by your skin. Cobalt rings will change your skin color, and over time they'll develop permanent oxidation spots that you'll never be able to scrub away. The rings might look nice at first, but within a week to a month depending on how much you wear it, the chemical reactions will occur and ruin its look.

Signs
There aren't many ways to tell just by looking at a ring whether or not it's pure tungsten carbide or a tungsten carbide and cobalt combination. The price is one of the most telling features, because rings made with cobalt are usually cheaper in price. The best way to make sure that you have a genuine tungsten carbide ring is to get a guarantee from the manufacturer, so that if your ring does have cobalt in it you can get replacement at little or no charge.

Finish
Tungsten carbide rings are extremely strong and durable, and the same goes for their "permanent" finish. Pure tungsten carbide rings don't dent, scratch or lose their shine very easily. A tungsten carbide ring with cobalt in it will, however, so if you've bought a tungsten carbide ring that's lost its shine, even after a thorough cleaning, chances are there's cobalt in it. 

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