Machine shops and manufacturers often hear the terms Mallory metal and Elkonite® used interchangeably when discussing heavy electrical contact materials. While they’re closely related, they are not exactly the same thing—and understanding the difference helps explain why these materials hold real value when recycled.
This guide explains what Mallory metal and Elkonite® are, why the terms are confused, where the materials are used, and why scrap versions are valuable.
What Are Mallory Metal and Elkonite®?
Mallory metal is a legacy industry term used for tungsten-based electrical contact materials, usually tungsten-copper composites.
Elkonite® is a brand name for engineered tungsten composite materials manufactured by CMW Inc1.
Both materials are used in:
- electrical contacts
- resistance welding
- high-power industrial equipment
These all contain valuable tungsten that can be recycled and purchased by specialty buyers when the components wear out.
What Is Mallory Metal?
Mallory metal refers to a family of tungsten-based composite materials used in electrical contacts and industrial components.
The term originates from the P.R. Mallory Company, a manufacturer known for producing tungsten electrical contact materials throughout the mid-1900s2.
Over time, the term “Mallory” became industry shorthand. Many shops still use it to describe heavy tungsten contact materials, even if the part was produced by another manufacturer.
Typical Composition
Mallory-type materials are usually made from:
- Tungsten (W) – provides density, hardness, and arc resistance
- Copper (Cu) – provides electrical and thermal conductivity
These materials combine tungsten’s durability with copper’s conductivity, creating a material capable of performing in high-current electrical environments.
What Is Elkonite®?
Elkonite® is a line of tungsten composite materials manufactured by CMW.inc and designed for demanding electrical and thermal applications.
Unlike the general term “Mallory,” Elkonite® refers to a specific engineered material family.
How Elkonite® Is Made
Elkonite® materials are typically produced by powder metallurgy, a manufacturing process in which metal powders are compressed and sintered into dense composite parts.
Most Elkonite® grades contain:
- Tungsten particles
- Copper or other conductive metals
These characteristics make Elkonite® widely used in high-voltage electrical systems and welding applications.
Where Are Mallory Metal and Elkonite® Used?
Tungsten composites like Mallory metal and Elkonite® are used in high-performance industrial environments where heat and electrical load are extreme.
These materials are commonly used in:
- Electrical Contacts:
- Circuit breakers
- High-current relays
- Electrical switching systems
- Resistance Welding Electrodes
- These often use tungsten-copper electrodes because they withstand both heat and electrical stress during welding cycles.
- Aerospace and Defense Equipment
- High-density industrial assemblies
Their stability and density make them suitable for precision and high-reliability applications.
FAQ: Mallory Metal and Elkonite®
How Do These Materials Become Scrap?
Even though tungsten composites are extremely durable, industrial use eventually wears them down.
Common scrap sources include:
- Worn electrical contacts
- Used resistance welding electrodes
- Machining offcuts
- Production rejects
- Obsolete industrial components
When parts lose performance or reach the end of their service life, they are typically replaced.
However, the metal inside still retains significant value.
For recyclers specializing in tungsten materials, this scrap can be recovered and refined for reuse.
Learn more about how valuable Mallory-based metals really are below:
Supported Reading: Is Elkonite® Scrap Valuable?
Do You Have Mallory Metal or Elkonite® Scrap?
Many machine shops, electrical manufacturers, and industrial facilities accumulate Mallory metal or Elkonite® components over time without realizing they contain valuable tungsten.
Because these materials contain high-density tungsten composites, they often have significant recycling value when processed through a specialized metals recycler.
At RRCarbide, we work with machine shops and manufacturers across the country to make recycling tungsten-based materials simple, secure, and efficient. Our team specializes in evaluating and purchasing materials like:
- Mallory-based metals
- Elkonite® tungsten composites
- Tungsten copper alloys
- Carbide scrap and other rare metal materials
If you’re unsure whether your materials qualify, our team can help identify them and guide you through the process.
Or, if you’re ready to get started, you can request a quote and send photos of your material for evaluation.