Single crystal elastic constants of tungsten monocarbide

The elastic constants of single crystal tungsten monocarbide were determined using highfrequency (20 to 50 mHz) ultrasonic pulse-echo measurements. The measured values from this study are a full order of magnitude lower than the previously reported values estimated from X-ray elastic constants. The elastic modulus of polycrystalline tungsten carbide was also measured to verify the accuracy of the ultrasonic method used.