Compare written buyer quotes
| Quote | Gross | Net proceeds | Effective $/lb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buyer A | — | — | — |
| Buyer B | — | — | — |
Use the accepted net carbide weight. Do not include attached steel, packaging, or rejected material unless the buyer's written terms do.
Why there is no universal daily carbide scrap price
Carbide scrap is not a standardized pure-metal product. The NIOSH Pocket Guide describes cemented tungsten carbide as generally 85–95% tungsten carbide and 5–15% cobalt, with other mixtures also possible. Buyers therefore price the recoverable grade and form, not tungsten spot multiplied by gross weight.
Sort the lot before requesting rates
Separate clean solid inserts and end mills from brazed tips, steel-backed parts, mixed sweepings, and sludge. The U.S. Geological Survey's tungsten recycling report explains that direct recycling depends on sorting, cleaning, impurity removal, and chemical analysis. Ask whether a quoted rate applies to your exact form and whether the buyer pays on received or assayed net weight.
Compare terms, not headline rates
For each written quote, record the accepted grade, dollars per pound, minimum lot, freight, container weight, assay or processing deductions, rejected-material policy, and payment timing. This calculator uses net pounds × quoted rate − deductions; it does not estimate composition or promise a buyer price.
Handle dust and sludge as an occupational material
Do not grind or cut scrap to test it. OSHA and NIOSH publish exposure guidance for cemented tungsten carbide containing cobalt. Keep industrial dust in its existing suitable container and ask a qualified recycler for its shipping and acceptance requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
What is carbide scrap worth per pound?
There is no single reliable carbide scrap price per pound. Buyers grade the material by form, chemistry, contamination, lot size, and recovery terms, so enter current written quotes in this calculator instead of using a universal rate.
How do I calculate the value of carbide scrap?
Convert the net weight to pounds, multiply by the buyer's quoted dollars per pound, then subtract disclosed freight, assay, and processing deductions. Compare net proceeds and effective dollars per pound.
Is carbide scrap pure tungsten?
No, carbide scrap is not pure tungsten. Cemented tungsten carbide is a mixture of tungsten carbide with cobalt and sometimes nickel, titanium, or other materials. Its composition and attached steel or braze affect a recycler's grade and price.
Which carbide scrap types should I separate?
Keep clean solid inserts, end mills, brazed or steel-backed pieces, and grinding sludge in separate lots. Ask each buyer how it grades every form before comparing rates.
Where can I sell tungsten carbide scrap?
Request written terms from specialist carbide recyclers and local industrial scrap buyers. Compare the accepted grade, net weight, quoted rate, deductions, payment timing, and rejected-material policy.
Is carbide grinding dust safe to handle?
Do not grind, cut, or create dust just to identify or prepare scrap. NIOSH and OSHA identify health hazards from airborne cemented-carbide mixtures, especially those containing cobalt or nickel; follow workplace controls and use a qualified recycler.