Scrap Prices

Last Updated: 10/22/2024

Carbide Inserts & Shapes

$6.90-$7.90/lb

Tungsten- Based Turnings

$3.65-$7.15/lb

Pure Tungsten

$4.15-$8.15/lb

High Speed Steel

$0.15-$0.65/lb

Cobalt

$1.50-$5.00/lb

Larger Bits

$5.30-$7.80/lb

Category: Blog

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Blog

The History of Carbide

Early Discoveries and Uses

Carbide compounds, particularly calcium carbide, were first discovered in the 19th century. The development of these compounds marked a significant milestone in the field of chemistry and industrial applications.

  1. Calcium Carbide and Acetylene Gas: In 1892, Thomas Leopold Willson, a Canadian inventor, discovered that heating lime and coal in an electric furnace produced calcium carbide. This compound, when combined with water, produces acetylene gas, which became a valuable source of lighting before the widespread adoption of electric lights. Acetylene lamps were extensively used for lighting in homes, mines, and on bicycles and cars.

The Development of Tungsten Carbide

In the early 20th century, the development of tungsten carbide transformed the manufacturing and tools industry.

  1. Invention: Tungsten carbide, a compound of tungsten and carbon, was first synthesized in the 1920s by German scientists at Osram, a lighting manufacturer. They were exploring new materials for filaments in light bulbs when they discovered the incredible hardness and durability of tungsten carbide.
  2. Industrial Applications: Recognizing its potential, researchers quickly adapted tungsten carbide for use in cutting tools and machining applications. Its extreme hardness made it ideal for use in tools that needed to cut or shape other hard materials like steel.

World War II and Expansion

The use of tungsten carbide expanded significantly during World War II. The demand for efficient and durable machining tools for the manufacturing of military equipment drove further research and production.

  1. Widespread Adoption: Post-war, the industrial boom saw a significant increase in the adoption of tungsten carbide tools across various sectors, including automotive, aerospace, and mining.

Modern Applications and Innovations

Today, carbide compounds, particularly tungsten carbide, are integral to many industries due to their hardness, resistance to wear, and ability to retain a sharp edge.

  1. Tool Manufacturing: Tungsten carbide remains a crucial material for manufacturing high-speed cutting tools, drill bits, and saw blades.
  2. Jewelry: The compound’s hardness and resistance to scratching have made it popular in jewelry, particularly for men’s wedding bands.
  3. Sports and Recreation: Tungsten carbide is also used in the tips of trekking poles, crampons, and ski poles due to its durability and ability to maintain a sharp edge in harsh conditions.
  4. Medical Field: Its biocompatibility and wear resistance have led to applications in medical instruments and surgical tools.

Environmental and Economic Impact

The mining and processing of tungsten and other materials used to create carbide compounds have significant environmental and economic impacts.

  1. Sustainability: The industry is increasingly focusing on sustainable mining practices and the recycling of carbide tools to mitigate environmental damage.
  2. Economic Importance: The production and use of carbide compounds remain vital to many economies, particularly in regions with rich tungsten deposits.

Conclusion

The history of carbide is a testament to the compound’s versatility and enduring value. From its early use in lighting to its critical role in modern manufacturing and various other applications, carbide compounds have proven to be indispensable materials in both historical and contemporary contexts. As technology continues to advance, the development and application of carbide materials are likely to evolve, maintaining their importance in the industrial world.

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Interesting Facts About Alloys, Including Carbide

In manufacturing and industrial processes, few materials are needed for their performance or efficiency the way Alloys are.

At RRCarbide, we specialize in recycling scrap carbide and other rare earth alloys from machine shops and manufacturing facilities nationwide. We’ll discuss some facts about alloys and highlight their unique characteristics.

What Are Metal Alloys?

Alloys are mixtures of two or more elements, where at least one is a metal. Unlike pure metals, alloys are designed to have enhanced properties such as increased strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. This makes them ideal for various industrial applications, including aerospace, automotive, and medical sectors.

Examples of Rare EarthAlloys

Some common and uncommon alloys that RRCarbide deals with include:

  • Steel: A blend of iron and carbon, sometimes with other elements like chromium, typically found in High-Speed Steel.
  • Tungsten Carbide: Known for its exceptional hardness, it is used extensively in cutting tools and industrial machinery parts.
  • Hastelloy: A nickel-based alloy known for its resistance to corrosion and high-temperature stability, making it ideal for chemical processing and aerospace applications.
  • Monel: Composed mainly of nickel and copper, Monel is highly resistant to corrosion and is used in marine and chemical industries.
  • Cobalt Alloys: These are valued for their wear resistance and high strength, used in medical implants and turbine blades.
  • Mallory: A high-density tungsten-based alloy used in balancing and radiation shielding.
  • Elkonite: Tungsten-copper alloys are used for electrical and thermal applications due to their high conductivity.

Examples of Alloys Inside Your House

Alloys are ubiquitous in daily life, found in items like jewelry, cookware, tools, and construction materials. Examples include:

  • Sterling Silver: An alloy of silver with other metals, usually copper.
  • White Gold: An alloy of gold with metals like nickel or palladium to give it a silver appearance.
  • Electrum: A naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver used historically for coins and ornaments.

Saltwater Is Corrosize To Most Alloys

Did you know that saltwater can accelerate the corrosion of most alloys? When metals and alloys are immersed in salt water, electrolytes boost electrochemical reactions, causing faster corrosion. This involves electrons transferring from the metal to the oxygen in the water, forming metal oxides or other compounds that degrade the metal. Stainless Steel is one of the few alloys that fights this process.

Alloys Can Be Hard To Differentiate

One of the challenges in working with alloys is that they can be difficult to differentiate from one another. This is especially true for those unfamiliar with the subtle variations in appearance and properties among different alloys. Here are some reasons why alloys can be hard to distinguish:

Similar Visual Appearance

Many alloys look similar to the naked eye. Stainless steel, Monel, and certain grades of aluminum alloys can have a similar shiny, metallic appearance, making it difficult to tell them apart without specialized tools or tests.

Overlapping Applications

Different alloys are often used in similar applications, adding to the confusion. For example, tungsten carbide and titanium alloys are used in cutting tools and machinery parts due to their hardness and durability.

Every Alloy Can Be Recycled For Cash!

While alloy recycling can be more complicated than your standard copper or aluminum scrap, it is far from impossible! Due to the very nature of alloys, recyclers frequently want as pure a form of the material as they can get. That being said, if you have contaminants or are unsure what alloy you may have, we recommend contacting the team at RRCarbide.

At RRCarbide, we specialize in turning your scrap alloys into cash! Whether you have tungsten carbide, cobalt, Hastelloy, or any other rare earth metal, our team is always here to help. We understand the value of these materials and have the tools and knowledge to analyze and accurately assess their worth.

Reach out to us for a quote on your alloys below!

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Understanding Tungsten Carbide: Composition, Uses, and Expertise

Carbide Solids

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.

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Blog Monel

Where Can You Find Scrap Monel?

Monel is a unique nickel-copper alloy that stands out for its resistance to corrosion and harsh environments, making it highly valuable in various industries. However, it’s not as commonly encountered as other metals, which raises the question: where can scrap Monel be found? Whether you’re a scrapper, a metal shop, or a business owner, here’s where to look for this valuable material and how to turn it into cash.

Common Sources of Scrap Monel

Monel’s material makeup makes it a go-to material for specialized industrial applications, meaning it’s more likely to be found in specific environments rather than everyday household items. If you work in one of these particular sectors, keep an eye out for this valuable scrap material:

  1. Marine Equipment and Applications: Monel’s resistance to seawater corrosion makes it an essential material in the marine industry. It is found in items like blades, pumping shafts, and valves. Monel 400 and K-500 are typically used for these.
  2. Oil And Refinery Sector: Often used in crude oil towers, well pumps, and propellor shafts. Monel is needed in the presence of hydrofluoric acid as it offers exceptional resistance and can handle extremely high temperatures. Expect to see Monel 400 in these use cases.
  3. Aerospace Industry: This is needed for the incredibly dynamic temperatures experienced by jets and other aeronautic vehicles in this industry. Monel stays strong and maintains its shape even at high temperatures and speed. It likely will be Monel 401 and 404. While not as prevalent in modern planes, older aircraft may still have many Monel components.

Identifying Scrap Monel

If you are unsure if you have Monel, there are a few ways to tell what you have. One challenge with scrapping Monel is its similarity to other nickel-based alloys, such as stainless steel. A magnet test can help, as Monel is generally non-magnetic or weakly magnetic. The surface feel of the metal can also be telling. While unfinished, other metals like stainless steel can be rough to the touch, but Monel is smooth.

Most rare earth metals can be very tricky to identify without an XRF analyzer, and Monel can sometimes have a greenish tint. Visually, it looks very similar to other metals like Stainless Steel or Inconel, but it helps to know where the materials come from or are sourced. While rare, it usually ends up at scrap yards in the form of turnings or screw stock

How To Cash In On Scrap Monel

Scrap Monel is more valuable than common metals like stainless steel or aluminum. To ensure you get the best price:

  • Check Local Scrap Yards: Many local yards may not deal with Monel often, but it’s always worth asking. The high value of the metal makes it worth your while.
  • Reach out to RRCarbide: While a local yard may be close by, RRCarbide is a transparent and reliable source of information, offering the most current and competitive pricing with easy shipping.

Why Recycling Monel Matters

Monel is a valuable resource, and its corrosion-resistant properties make it indispensable in harsh environments. Recycling monel not only prevents waste in the above industries but also ensures that these sectors continue to function and have access to new materials. Given its value, you should try to recycle it whenever possible.

Although not as commonly found as other scrap metals, Monel’s value makes it worth the hunt. If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon some, recycling it can result in a decent payday and contribute to sustainable material use.

Reach out to RRCarbide to responsibly recycle your Monel today!

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Where Does Scrap Carbide Comes From?

If you are a contractor or mill worker, you have most likely encountered carbide scrap at some point in your career. Carbide is a unique scrap metal used in very specific industries and equipment due to its remarkable hardness and durability. Commonly found in machine shops and drill bits, carbide scrap is a valuable commodity because of its higher-than-average price per pound. But what exactly is carbide, and where can you find it?

What is Tungsten Carbide?

Tungsten carbide is a hard, dense metal that combines tungsten and carbon atoms. This material is known for its remarkable durability and hardness. While “carbide” technically applies to any compound of carbon and a less electronegative element, tungsten carbide is one of the most common and valuable forms. Due to its exceptional strength, hardness, and resistance to heat and wear, tungsten carbide is widely used in various applications.

Industries That Use Carbide

Knowing which industries use carbide can help you identify potential scrap sources at your local businesses. Here are some key sectors and examples of companies that frequently use carbide:

  • Manufacturing and Machining: The manufacturing sector is one of the largest consumers of tungsten carbide. Machine shops, automotive parts manufacturers, and metal fabrication companies often use carbide in cutting tools like end mills, drills, and saw blades. These tools wear down over time and become scrap, making these businesses prime candidates for sourcing carbide scrap.
  • Oil and Gas: Carbide’s toughness makes it suitable for drilling and mining equipment, where it is used to make drill bits, cutting tools, and wear-resistant parts. Oil, gas, and service companies that supply drilling equipment frequently replace worn-out carbide components, leading to a steady scrap supply.
  • Aerospace and Defense: The aerospace and defense industries rely on carbide for components that require precision and durability, such as jet engine parts and high-strength fasteners. Maintenance and repair operations (MROs) at aerospace companies and defense contractors can generate significant amounts of carbide scrap as they replace old or worn-out parts.
  • Tool and Die Making: Carbide is a popular choice in the tool and die industry for creating molds and other forming tools that shape metal and plastic parts. Tool and die manufacturers often accumulate scrap carbide from broken or outdated tools, providing another potential source for scrappers.
  • Construction: One of the most apparent industries, carbide is used in heavy-duty tools like masonry drills, saws, and chisels for cutting through tough materials such as concrete and stone. Construction companies and tool rental businesses may have worn-out carbide tools that can be recycled.

How Do I Sell Scrap Carbide?

Once you’ve collected scrap carbide, selling it to the right buyer is essential to maximizing your profit. You have a few options:

  • Local Scrap Yards: You can start by checking with your local yards to see if they purchase scrap carbide. One of the downsides with this is that many yards do not buy enough volume of these rare earth metals, and such may not be able to get you the best prices. Due to the rarity of these metals, they may not have the know-how to price them accurately against the current market.
  • National Scrap Buyers: Choosing a reputable buyer is crucial for ensuring fair prices and reliable transactions. This is where we come in with RRCarbide. We have established shipping and payment procedures, making selling your scrap easier. We’ve also been in the business of rare earth metals since our inception, and rest assured that you know that your materials are being graded correctly.
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