If you are a full-time scrapper or a contractor you have most likely come across carbide scrap at some point in your career. Carbide is a unique scrap metal that is used in very specific industries and equipment. Commonly found in machine shops and drill bits, carbide scrap is a valuable commodity due to the higher than average price per pound.
Where Can Carbide Scrap Be Found
Due to the higher price on average for scrap Carbide, often times people wonder where they can collect some for recycling and make some extra money. Below are the common places to look for scrap carbide.
- Your Workbench – Whether you are a contractor or just have extra tools laying around your house, check out the drill bits and tips from your tools. Due to its hardness and durability, carbide is a great metal for drills.
- Machine Shops – If you work in a machine shop or have one nearby, it may be a good idea to ask the manager if they have any scrap carbide you can buy from them. We say buy and not just ask for it because generally, they know it’s worth money. But if you can haul it from them and save them a trip, you can make some extra bucks.
- Aircraft Equipment – This is not going to be a common way, if at all, to get carbide but aircraft equipment usually has carbide pieces that are used to withstand extreme temperatures. If you have a local airport, perhaps you can get in contact with their mechanic and ask about working together.
Types of Carbide Scrap
Due to the different ways that carbide is used, there are several forms and shapes that it can have when you are scrapping it. If you have large amounts of any of these materials get in touch with a scrap yard to sell them.
- Carbide Dust
- Carbide Sludge
- Carbide Bits
- Carbide Tips
- Carbide Road Tools
- Carbide Solids
- Carbide Stampings
- Carbide Gradings
How Much Is Scrap Carbide Worth?
Depending on the current market conditions when you’re reading this, carbide can be a bit different but generally according to the average market prices over the last few years, carbide scrap is worth anywhere from $3.25 – $9.50 per pound (2010-2017 used as a reference point).
Why Such A Big Range?
The large price range is due to the percentages of the carbide. Carbide scrap contains Tungsten, which is an element on the periodic table (Symbol W). When scrap yards are buying scrap carbide they will often use an analyzer to detect the percentage of Tungsten inside. Sometimes the range can be anywhere from 10-100%. So because of that large range of tungsten inside, the prices will vary. With large ranges and having multiple metals that could be combined together we have to be aware of what is out there while scrapping…not all carbide was made alike.
Where Can I Sell Carbide Scrap?
Finally, you have collected some carbide scrap and are ready to sell it. Where can you take it? There are many options for carbide scrap recycling, but one of the easiest is to check if there are any scrap yards in the area that purchase it. You can use the iScrap App to search for local yards and call them up to see if they buy it. When asking for prices, it’s a good idea to also ask if they use an analyzer to test the material for the percentage of Tungsten.
If your local scrap yards don’t buy scrap carbide or you don’t feel confident in selling it there, you can also check if there are any national scrap buyers of carbide, like Rockaway Recycling. You can contact those scrap yards for further information about shipping procedures and also payment options. Like any other type of scrap you may be selling, finding the best prices isn’t always the answer, finding a reputable scrap yard to deal with is important too.
