How do you select, maintain, and recondition tungsten carbide dies for maximum service life?Selection starts with identifying your specific process: what material is being shaped (hardness, abrasiveness, lubrication), what is the reduction ratio (for wire drawing), what are the forming pressures and impact forces, and what production volume is expected. For drawing steel wire, choose fine-grain, 6–8% cobalt carbide for wear resistance. For drawing aluminum or copper (softer, more prone to galling), consider a lower-cobalt grade or a special lubricant-retaining surface texture. For cold heading high-strength alloy steel bolts, select a tougher grade with 12–15% cobalt and a shrink-fitted casing. Installation requires careful alignment: misaligned dies cause oval wire or uneven wall thickness. Wire drawing dies must be securely mounted in the die holder with proper back support.https://www.xymjcarbide.com/products/tungsten-carbide-dies