This standard practice of using wax presents a number of problems:

Carbon control problems

• Excess carbon or ``free carbon" can result in porosity in the sintered part, reducing wear resistance.
• Carbon deficiency occurs when too much carbon is removed during sintering, creating ``eta-phase", a brittle condition that leads to chipping and cracking.

Size variations

• Excess wax in the powder compact can lead to size variations due to distortion.

At Innovative Carbide, our exclusive no wax process eliminates the use of paraffin wax as a manufacturing crutch. Not only does this cut out unnecessary steps, it results in more efficient carbon control. The results...a purer, consistent, reliable product that will perform better.