Tungsten carbide is a remarkable material known for its exceptional hardness and durability, making it indispensable in various industries. Whether you’re involved in manufacturing, toolmaking, or simply curious about this alloy, we want to shed light on its composition, uses, and how you can make the most money on any scrap carbide you find. If you have tungsten carbide or other rare materials to recycle, RRCarbide is your go-to partner for accurate quotes and professional service. We have been in business for almost 50 years and can properly grade and buy any rare earth metals that you can scrap.
What is Tungsten Carbide?
Tungsten carbide is a hard, dense metal created by combining equal parts of tungsten and carbon. Tungsten carbide is known for its extraordinary hardness—second only to diamonds—and high melting point (about 5,200 degrees Fahrenheit/2,870 degrees Celsius). Often referred to simply as “carbide,” tungsten carbide stands out due to its durability and versatility, making it a preferred choice in high-stress environments.
Examples of Where Tungsten Carbide is Used
Tungsten carbide’s exceptional properties lend themselves to various applications across various industries. It is commonly used in the following:
- Cutting tools, saw blades, and end mills. Mostly found in old machine shops
- Other high-temperature machinery parts include nozzles and bearings used in the mining industry.
- The medical industry uses it for surgical instruments that won’t dull. It is also superior for shielding body tissues and equipment from unwanted radiation, outperforming traditional materials like lead.
Tungsten Carbide in Everyday Life
While tungsten carbide is relied on heavily across many industries, it has also found its way into many everyday items around your home or neighborhood. For instance:
- High-quality drill bits and saw blades in home improvement projects often feature tungsten carbide tips for enhanced cutting efficiency and longevity.
- Jewelry is valued for its scratch resistance and durability, especially wedding bands made from tungsten carbide.
- The sporting industry uses tungsten carbide in a variety of products, such as trekking gear, fishing weights, horseshoes, and more.
The Benefits of Recycling Tungsten Carbide
Recycling tungsten carbide offers significant economic and environmental benefits. Economically, recycling allows for the recovery of valuable materials, reducing the need for new raw tungsten. Tungsten carbide scrap is typically worth between $5 to $10 per pound, making it incredibly valuable to scrap. Without recycling, the world’s tungsten supply largely depends on exports from countries like China and Slovakia. Recycling carbide can help keep local manufacturers afloat and free from the volatile price swings associated with tungsten and cobalt.
When recycling carbide, you also lower the need for new materials to be mined, which can already be an environmental strain on the area where the mine is located, decreases the required energy consumption by 70% as well and reduces carbon emissions by 40% when compared to sourced new materials. – Source
With approximately 30% of all carbide coming from recycled sources, recycling through the appropriate channels can exploit a sizeable portion of the market.
RRCarbide: Your Knowledgeable Partner in Tungsten Carbide Recycling
At RRCarbide, we pride ourselves on our expertise in tungsten carbide recycling. Our division focuses on buying scrap carbide and other rare earth alloy materials nationwide from machine shops and manufacturing facilities. We also deal in metals such as Cobalt, Hastelloy, Elkonite, Mallory-based metals, Tungsten, Monel, Nickel, and production sludge.
Contacting RRCarbide for Tungsten Carbide Needs
If you have tungsten carbide that needs recycling or are unsure of what kinds of rare earth materials you have, RRCarbide is here to help. Our commitment to customer satisfaction ensures you receive the best service and value. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you with your tungsten carbide needs.
