Tungsten & Tungsten Carbide — Complete Grades & Types Guide

Tungsten Ore — Wolframite and Scheelite

Wolframite (Fe,Mn)WO4 and scheelite CaWO4 are the two primary tungsten ores mined commercially, graded by WO3 content, typically assessed at 65% concentrate. China dominates global mining and sets the reference price for both. Wolframite concentrate 65% currently trades around ¥409,500/mt in China's domestic market, with scheelite trading at a slight premium around ¥412,000/mt. India has limited domestic ore mining, so Indian processors rely largely on imported concentrate or recycled scrap feedstock.

Ammonium Paratungstate (APT)

APT is the key intermediate chemical produced from tungsten ore concentrate via alkaline digestion, and is the benchmark traded product in the global tungsten supply chain. It is refined further into tungsten metal powder or tungsten carbide powder. Rotterdam APT (CIF Europe) trades around $3000/mtu, while China's domestic APT spot price sits near ¥590,000/mt against a long-term contract price of ¥600,000/mt for H1 September.

Tungsten Powder (W Powder)

Metallic tungsten powder is produced by hydrogen reduction of APT or tungsten oxide, graded by particle size (sub-micron to several microns) for different downstream uses including heavy alloys, electrical contacts, and additive manufacturing. It is distinct from tungsten carbide powder, which is carburized for hardness. China domestic tungsten powder trades around ¥910/kg.

Tungsten Carbide Powder (WC Powder)

WC powder is made by reacting tungsten metal powder (from APT) with carbon at high temperature, producing the hard compound used to make cemented carbide tools and wear parts. Particle size grades range from coarse (cutting tools) to ultrafine (precision wear components). China WC powder trades around ¥860/kg domestically, and $165-170/kg FOB for export.

Cemented Carbide (Sintered Carbide)

Cemented carbide is WC powder sintered with a cobalt (or nickel) binder into a dense, extremely hard composite. Cobalt content (typically 6-15%) controls the toughness-versus-hardness tradeoff. Hardness is measured in Vickers (HV) or Rockwell A (HRA) scale. Common industrial grades range from fine-grain high-hardness (cutting tools) to coarse-grain high-toughness (mining and construction tooling).

Carbide Drill Bits — Grades and Identification

Solid carbide drill bits are machined entirely from cemented carbide, while carbide-tipped bits have a carbide tip brazed onto a steel body. Clean 90%+ grade drill bits — solid carbide with no steel content, known in the trade as tungsten button scrap — command the highest recoverable-tungsten price. Current India market rate: ₹9,000–₹10,000/kg (pan-India average, not a fixed offer).

Carbide Inserts — Types and Grades

Cutting inserts (CNMG, WNMG, DNMG, APMT and similar ISO designations) are replaceable cutting tips used in CNC turning and milling. Most carry a wear-resistant coating (TiN, TiAlN, TiCN) that adds weight without adding recoverable tungsten, which is why inserts price below button scrap and rods on a per-kg basis. Current India market rate: ₹6,000–₹7,000/kg (pan-India average, not a fixed offer).

Carbide Rods and Round Tools

Round carbide blanks, end mills, reamers and rotary burrs are typically higher-purity solid carbide with minimal coating or binder dilution, giving them a higher recoverable WC% than most inserts. Current India market rate: ₹6,500–₹7,800/kg (pan-India average, not a fixed offer).

Ferrotungsten (FeW)

Ferrotungsten is an iron-tungsten alloy used primarily as an additive in specialty and tool steel production, sold in 75% and 70% tungsten-content grades. Rotterdam FeW 75% currently trades around $175/kg W.

Sodium Tungstate

Sodium tungstate (Na2WO4) is a water-soluble tungsten chemical intermediate used in catalysts, pigments, and some nuclear and chemical industry applications. It is a smaller, specialty segment of the tungsten chemicals market compared to APT.

Mixed Carbide Scrap — What It Is and How It's Priced

Mixed scrap covers grinding sludge, tipped tools with steel shanks, chips and unsorted lots. Because recoverable WC% varies lot to lot, mixed scrap is priced after inspection or XRF testing rather than at a published rate. Separating grades before sale materially improves realized price.

Tungsten Scrap — XRF Testing and Grade Verification

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) testing measures elemental composition non-destructively, confirming tungsten and cobalt content and screening for contaminants. XRF certification is standard practice for export shipments and is one of the documents international buyers require (see Exporters & Buyers).