Sandvik’s new PowerCarbide additions – the greatest carbide innovation for decades

Sandvik is launching two new carbide grades to the PowerCarbide family. This is the most significant carbide innovation in the rock drilling industry for decades. The new grades extend grinding intervals and service life by up to 30% compared with standard carbides.

The new PowerCarbide grades, GC80 (Gradient Carbide) and SH70 (Self-Hardening) give users several other benefits, such as lower cost per drilled meter, less time for changing bits and improved safety.

“Sandvik was the first company in the drilling history to manufacture rock tools with cemented carbide, and are working continuously on developing new and more advanced solutions. The new PowerCarbide grades are based on an improved knowledge about the wear of the drill bit in different types of rock,” says Robert Grandin, Product Manager for Underground Top Hammer at Sandvik Rock Tools.

The GC80 is developed for abrasive ground conditions with high silica levels in the rock. A new, unique method makes it possible to produce buttons that are wear-resistant on the outside, while the center provides a toughness that pushes the service life and grinding intervals even further.

The SH70, which is developed for hard, competent ground, is a grade with homogeneous properties throughout the material. SH70 is called ‘self-hardening’ because the enhanced deformation hardening makes it more wear resistant as you drill with it. The surface hardness is continuously ‘refilled’, which means that the hard top never wears off.

Sandvik has more laboratory capacity and human resources for cemented carbide development than any other company in the industry.

“Controlling the whole chain, all the way from our own tungsten mine to the production of drill bits, is a unique enabler for developing groundbreaking rock tools,” says Robert Grandin. “Since we have the most advanced range of carbides, we almost certainly have something in our product range that is perfect for each customer’s conditions.”

Both new PowerCarbide grades are available from stock with selected assortments today.

Sandviken, 19 December 2018

For more information contact:
Robert Grandin
Product Manager, Top Hammer Tools - Underground Applications
Rock Tools, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology
Tel: +4626262114
email: robert.grandin@sandvik.com

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Sandvik Group
Sandvik is a high-tech and global engineering group offering products and services that enhance customer productivity, profitability and safety. We hold world-leading positions in selected areas – tools and tooling systems for metal cutting; equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining and construction industries; products in advanced stainless steels and special alloys as well as products for industrial heating. In 2017, the Group had approximately 43,000 employees and sales of 91 billion SEK in more than 150 countries within continuing operations.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology is a business area within the Sandvik Group and a global leading supplier of equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining and construction industries. Application areas include rock drilling, rock cutting, crushing and screening, loading and hauling, tunneling, quarrying and breaking and demolition. In 2017, sales were approximately 37 billion SEK with about 15,000 employees in continuing operations.