Content Menu
● Composition and Industrial Applications of Tungsten Carbide
>> Common Applications:
● Factors Influencing Tungsten Carbide Scrap Value
>> Current Pricing (2025):
● The Tungsten Carbide Recycling Process
● Maximizing Scrap Value: Best Practices
● Environmental and Economic Benefits
● Conclusion
● Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
>> 1. How do I identify high-value tungsten carbide scrap?
>> 2. Why does cobalt content affect scrap pricing?
>> 3. Can tungsten carbide be resized or reused directly?
>> 4. What industries drive tungsten demand?
>> 5. How does China impact global scrap prices?
● Citations:
Tungsten carbide has become one of the most valuable industrial materials for recycling, offering significant financial returns while supporting global sustainability efforts. This ultra-hard alloy – second only to diamond in hardness – powers cutting tools, mining equipment, aerospace components, and even consumer products like wedding bands. As industries prioritize circular economies, understanding its scrap value and recycling potential is critical.
Composition and Industrial Applications of Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten carbide (WC) is a composite material combining tungsten atoms with carbon in a 1:1 ratio, often bonded using cobalt (6-12%) or nickel. This structure delivers:
- Hardness: 8.5–9.0 Mohs (compared to 4.5 for titanium)
- Melting point: 2,870°C (5,198°F)
- Density: 15.6 g/cm³ (twice that of steel)
Common Applications:
- Cutting tools: Inserts, end mills, drills (e.g., CNC machining)
- Mining equipment: Drill bits, rock crushers
- Aerospace: Turbine blades, wear-resistant coatings
- Medical: Surgical instruments, prosthetics
Factors Influencing Tungsten Carbide Scrap Value
The price of tungsten carbide scrap fluctuates based on:
| Factor | Impact on Price |
| Tungsten Content | Higher purity (70–97% W) increases value |
| Cobalt/Nickel Binder | Cobalt-rich scrap often commands premium rates |
| Market Demand | Driven by automotive, mining, and energy sectors |
| Geopolitics | China controls 80% of global tungsten supply |
| Form | Clean solids > sludge/grindings > contaminated scraps |
Current Pricing (2025):
- North America: $5.50–$9.80/lb ([Gardner Metals][9])
- China (EXW): $41.85/kg ([Scrap Monster][3])
- Europe (FOB): $43.09/kg ([Scrap Monster][50])
The Tungsten Carbide Recycling Process
Reclaiming tungsten involves advanced metallurgical techniques:
1. Collection & Sorting: Scrap is separated by grade (e.g., insert, mining, rod).
2. Zinc Process:
- Soak in molten zinc to dissolve cobalt binder
- Distill zinc via vacuum, leaving porous WC/Co mixture
3. Crushing & Milling: Reduce to powder (<200 mesh)
4. Recomposition: Blend with virgin materials for new tool production
Maximizing Scrap Value: Best Practices
1. Segregate Clean Scrap: Store inserts, end mills, and solids separately from grindings.
2. Remove Contaminants: Avoid mixing with steel, copper, or coatings.
3. Leverage Market Timing: Track COMEX tungsten futures and sell during Q4 manufacturing surges.
4. Partner with Certified Recyclers: Kennametal, Sandvik, and Carbide-USA offer premium rates.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
- Resource Conservation: Recycling supplies 35% of global tungsten demand ([ITIA][53]).
- CO₂ Reduction: Saves 6.5 tons of CO₂ per ton of recycled WC vs. mining ([Straits Research][60]).
- Cost Savings: Manufacturers cut material costs by 40% using recycled powder ([IMARC][7]).
Conclusion
Tungsten carbide scrap represents a high-value commodity, with prices averaging $6–10/lb in 2025. Its recyclability not only bolsters corporate profitability but also advances UN Sustainable Development Goals by minimizing mining-related ecological damage. As industries face stricter ESG regulations, partnering with certified recyclers ensures compliance while optimizing returns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I identify high-value tungsten carbide scrap?
High-grade scrap is non-magnetic, dense, and typically appears as silver-gray solids. Use XRF analyzers to verify composition ([Carbide Scrap Buyers][5]).
2. Why does cobalt content affect scrap pricing?
Cobalt (8–12%) enhances alloy toughness. Recyclers pay premiums for Co-rich scrap due to its dual metal recovery value ([Quest Metals][2]).
3. Can tungsten carbide be resized or reused directly?
No. The zinc process breaks down the material into powder for remanufacturing ([Chaski Forum][63]).
4. What industries drive tungsten demand?
Top consumers: automotive (35%), aerospace (22%), mining (18%), and electronics (12%) ([Mordor Intelligence][62]).
5. How does China impact global scrap prices?
China controls 60% of tungsten mining and 80% of exports, causing price volatility through export quotas ([GlobeNewswire][37]).
Citations:
[1] https://www.mscdirect.com/betterMRO/metalworking/carbide-recycling
[2] https://www.questmetals.com/blog/the-value-of-recycling-tungsten-carbide-scrap
[3] https://www.scrapmonster.com/metal-prices/minor-metals/tungsten-tungsten/815
[4] https://create.vista.com/photos/tungsten-carbide/
[5] https://carbidescrapbuyers.com/how-to-identify-high-value-carbide-scrap/
[6] https://carbide-usa.com/why-recycling-tungsten-carbide-scrap-makes-cents/
[7] https://www.imarcgroup.com/tungsten-carbide-market
[8] http://www.machinetoolrecyclers.com/rita_hayworth.html
[9] https://www.gardnermetals.com/what-you-should-know-about-carbide-recycling/
[10] https://carbide-usa.com/for-the-best-current-carbide-scrap-prices-turn-to-carbide-usa/
[11] https://www.retopz.com/57-frequently-asked-questions-faqs-about-tungsten-carbide/
[12] https://www.metal.com/Tungsten/201308090020
[13] https://www.scrapmetalbuyers.com/carbide
[14] https://rrcarbide.com/prices/
[15] https://www.reddit.com/r/ScrapMetal/comments/1f867b6/im_confused_about_tungsten_prices/
[16] https://iscrapapp.com/metals/carbide/
[17] https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/threads/carbide-scrap-price.215008/
[18] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTB8tn0LL2c
[19] https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=tungsten+carbide
[20] https://www.secotools.com/article/54882
[21] https://www.istockphoto.com/de/bot-wall?returnUrl=%2Fde%2Fphotos%2Ftungsten-carbide
[22] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-recycle-tungsten-carbide-yeyi-hardfacing-material
[23] https://periodictable.com/Elements/074/pictures.html
[24] https://www.sumitool.com.au/csr/recycling-of-carbide-tools/recycling/
[25] https://www.istockphoto.com/de/bot-wall?returnUrl=%2Fde%2Fphotos%2Ftungsten-carbide-drill-bits
[26] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPmGVPFITiY
[27] https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=carbide
[28] https://rockawayrecycling.com/metal/carbide-insertsshapes/
[29] https://www.sandvik.coromant.com/en-us/services/recycling/faq-carbide-recycling
[30] https://www.carbide-usa.com/tips-determine-current-scrap-carbide-pricing/
[31] https://www.questmetals.com/blog/the-value-of-recycling-tungsten-carbide-scrap
[32] https://straitsresearch.com/report/tungsten-carbide-market
[33] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263436821000780
[34] https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/tungsten-carbide-market-5388
[35] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892687518301432
[36] https://alnorindustries.com/the-benefits-of-tungsten-carbide-recycling.html
[37] https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/06/27/2905480/0/en/Global-Tungsten-Carbide-Market-Size-To-Worth-USD-33-4-Billion-By-2033-CAGR-Of-6-36.html
[38] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0892687518301432
[39] https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/tungsten-carbide-powder-market-report
[40] http://www.carbidetechnologies.com/faqs/
[41] https://www.tungstenringsco.com/faq
[42] https://www.tungco.com/insights/blog/frequently-asked-questions-used-tungsten-carbide-inserts/
[43] https://tuncomfg.com/about/faq/
[44] https://www.reddit.com/r/ScrapMetal/comments/1icigea/tungsten_carbide_question/
[45] https://www.reddit.com/r/metallurgy/comments/ub4dg9/question_about_tungsten_carbide_toxicity/
[46] https://www.mscdirect.com/betterMRO/forums/manufacturing/shop-talk/carbide-recycling
[47] https://www.tungstenrepublic.com/Tungsten-Carbide-Rings-FAQ.html
[48] https://iscrapapp.com/blog/guide-to-selling-carbide-scrap/
[49] https://www.reddit.com/r/ScrapMetal/comments/18rgp5x/what_happened_to_carbide_scrap_prices/
[50] https://www.scrapmonster.com/metal-prices/tungsten-carbide-998-min-25-70m-price/818
[51] https://www.scrapmetalbuyers.com/tungsten
[52] https://carbidescrapbuyers.com/scrap/
[53] https://www.itia.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ITIA_Newsletter_2019_08.pdf
[54] https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/tungsten-carbide.html
[55] https://bansalcarbidebuyer.com/carbide-scrap/
[56] https://rockawayrecycling.com/scrapping-carbide-tungsten-what-to-know/
[57] https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273948492730
[58] https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/untapped-value-in-tungsten-recycling/
[59] https://www.tungstenmetalsgroup.com/blog-blog/tungsten-scrap-metal-recycling
[60] https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/market-report/global-tungsten-carbide-market/66773/
[61] https://www.gardnermetals.com/what-you-should-know-about-carbide-recycling/
[62] https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/tungsten-carbide-market
[63] http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?t=83224
[64] https://bluestaralloys.com/tungsten-carbide-scrap-7-ways-to-maximize-the-value/
[65] https://www.mscdirect.com/betterMRO/metalworking/carbide-recycling
