Knowledge Center
Tungsten carbide: technical guides and industry knowledge
Resources for manufacturers, tool shops and industrial facilities on carbide identification, grading, recycling and procurement.
What is Tungsten Carbide? A Technical Overview
Tungsten carbide (WC) is a chemical compound of tungsten and carbon atoms, typically processed into a hard metal by sintering with a cobalt binder. Understand why it is one of the most valuable industrial materials in the world.
How to Identify Carbide vs. HSS Tooling
Confusing carbide with high-speed steel (HSS) is one of the most common mistakes when sorting industrial tooling scrap. This guide explains practical identification methods including weight, colour, spark testing and magnet testing.
Understanding Carbide Grades: ISO, ANSI and Manufacturer Codings
Carbide grades can be confusing — every manufacturer has its own coding system, layered on top of ISO standards. This guide demystifies carbide grade designations and explains what the codes mean for material value.
Tungsten Carbide Recycling: The Environmental and Economic Case
Tungsten is a critical raw material with a constrained global supply. Recycling carbide tooling and scrap recovers 85–95% of the tungsten content, significantly reducing the environmental impact of new tungsten mining.
How Carbide Pricing Works: LME Tungsten and Market Indexing
Carbide scrap prices are ultimately derived from the global tungsten market. This article explains how tungsten prices are benchmarked, how carbide grades and contamination affect recovery pricing, and what to expect when selling.
Preparing Your Carbide for Collection: A Practical Guide
A few simple preparation steps can meaningfully increase the value you receive for your carbide. This guide covers basic sorting, contamination management, weight estimation and documentation.
Mining Carbide: Grades, Applications and Recovery
Mining carbide grades are distinct from cutting tool grades — designed for impact resistance over hardness. This article covers the main mining carbide types, their applications and what makes them valuable for recovery.
The Cross-Border Carbide Trade: Regulations and Compliance
Exporting carbide scrap from Europe involves customs classification, waste transfer regulations and import documentation. This article provides an overview of the key compliance requirements and how VeloCarbide handles them.
Material Identification
Not sure what material you have?
Use our Material Identification Guide to determine whether your tooling or scrap contains tungsten carbide.
Open Identification Guide