Manufacturers, machinists, and purchasing teams often use the terms Mallory metal and Elkonite® interchangeably. While they are closely related, they are not the same thing. Understanding the difference helps clarify sourcing, purchasing, and recycling conversations—especially when dealing with scrap materials.
If you’re dealing with tungsten-based alloys in production or scrap handling, here’s what you should know.
So Are They The Same?
Mallory metal and Elkonite® are both tungsten-based heavy alloys, but they are not identical terms.
- Mallory metal originally referred to tungsten-heavy alloys developed by the Mallory companies decades ago.
- Elkonite® is a registered trademark used for specific tungsten alloys produced by Sherbrooke Metals1.
- In everyday manufacturing language, “Mallory” often became a generic term for tungsten heavy alloys like Elkonite®.
From a recycling standpoint, the exact alloy composition matters more than the brand name.
For a deeper breakdown of these materials, see: Mallory Metal & Elkonite® Explained
What Is Mallory Metal?
Mallory metal is a tungsten-based heavy alloy typically composed of:
- Tungsten (W) – usually 90–97%
- Copper (Cu) or Silver (Ag) as binders
Historically, the term originated with Mallory companies (eg, Mallory Metallurgical Co, which became CMW Inc.2), which developed tungsten alloys for electrical applications in the early 20th century. Over time, the name stuck in industry vocabulary, even when the material wasn’t made by those companies.
What Is Elkonite®?
Elkonite® is a registered trademark owned by CMW Inc. for a family of tungsten-based composite materials.
Elkonite® alloys contain:
- Tungsten
- Copper
- Occasionally silver
Because Elkonite® products became widely used, many machinists began referring to any tungsten-heavy alloy electrical contact as “Mallory.”
This is where the terminology confusion started.
Why Do Manufacturers Still Say “Mallory”?
The answer is simple: industry habit.
Many machine shops and manufacturers have used the word “Mallory” for decades, often as shorthand for tungsten heavy alloys used in electrical components.
Several factors reinforce this habit:
1. Legacy terminology
Older engineering drawings and purchase orders often list materials as Mallory.
2. Shop-floor language
Technicians and machinists tend to keep the same vocabulary across generations.
3. Visual similarity
Many tungsten alloys look and behave similarly, so the original brand distinctions blur over time.
As a result, companies may describe scrap materials as:
- Mallory
- Elkonite®
- Tungsten copper
- Tungsten silver
What Do Recyclers Actually Care About?
From a recycling perspective, brand names matter far less than composition.
Scrap buyers typically evaluate materials based on:
Tungsten content
Higher tungsten percentages generally increase value.
Binder metals
Common binders include:
- Copper
- Silver
- Nickel
- Iron
Material form
Recyclers often receive these alloys as:
- Electrical contacts
- EDM electrodes
- Machining scrap
- Production offcuts
- Worn components
Clean vs Mixed
Clean, separated material is easier to process and often commands stronger pricing.
In short, whether you call it Mallory or Elkonite®, the alloy composition determines the recycling value.
Learn more about selling these alloys here: Elkonite® & Mallory Metal Scrap Buyer
Ready to Cash In Your Mallory or Elkonite® Scrap?
If your shop is generating Mallory metal, Elkonite®, or other tungsten-based alloys, there’s a strong chance you’re sitting on recoverable value.
At RRCarbide, we make the process simple:
Start by telling us what material you have using the form below—we’ll take it from there.