ESCO Hydra Mining Division manufactures all the tungsten carbide used on their products for the mineral extraction industry, as well as engineers quality tools for the aerospace and automotive industries. Tungsten carbide grades are made to suit the applications required, i.e. a different grade is used for impact as opposed to cutting life.

ESCO uses this expertise to give better wear resistance. The best example is on the T.B.M. tools where "material wash" causes shorter life in abrasive rocks. This can be lessened by the use of tungsten carbide strips or slugs in strategic places.

Another area developed by ESCO's Hydra Division is the use of tungsten carbide studs in wear bars. These are fitted to excavator buckets, face shovels, rope shovels, dragline buckets and hydraulic breakers (under breaker base plate).

Technical field staff are available to discuss any applications where tungsten carbide could be used. Recommentations will be given on the grade required and position needed for longer life. Recommentations can also be given regarding tip size, shape and grade of tungsten carbide for any type of mineral cutting.