Price basis
Prices refer to the WO₃ content per mtu, so the assay converts directly into money.
Metals · W · 74
Tungsten
Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals. A large share of it comes back from scrap, and its oxides and powders are the starting point for carbides, heavy alloys and high-temperature parts. We trade it at every stage of the value chain and advise the companies that produce and use it.
74WTungsten183.84
- Atomic number
- 74
- Melting point
- 3422 °C
- Density
- 19.25 g/cm³
Most tungsten ends up as tungsten carbide in cutting tools and wear parts. Our focus is on the material flows behind them: the recycling of hard metal, heavy alloy and pure tungsten, APT and tungsten oxides, and tungsten and carbide powders, including powders for additive manufacturing. Primary supply is concentrated in China, and the EU lists tungsten as a critical and strategic raw material, which makes recycled material an important part of the supply. Looking ahead, tungsten's heat resistance makes it the wall material for the hottest zones of fusion reactors such as ITER.
From ore to product
- 01
Digestion
Concentrate is digested with sodium hydroxide or soda to sodium tungstate.
- 02
Purification
Solvent extraction or ion exchange removes impurities and converts it to ammonium tungstate.
- 03
APT
Crystallisation gives ammonium paratungstate (APT), the traded intermediate.
- 04
Oxide and powder
Calcining gives tungsten oxide; hydrogen reduction gives tungsten powder.
- 05
Carbide and products
Carburising turns the powder into tungsten carbide (WC); pressing and sintering make cemented carbide tools, wire and parts.
What matters in a deal
Scrap type
Hard metal, heavy alloy and pure tungsten scrap go to different recycling routes. Cobalt and other binders affect the value.
Origin
Buyers in Europe and North America look for supply outside China. Documented origin and recycled material are in demand.
Questions
What is APT?
Ammonium paratungstate, the main intermediate between tungsten concentrate and tungsten oxide, metal and carbide. Market prices for tungsten usually refer to APT.
How is tungsten scrap recycled?
Hard metal scrap is either processed chemically back to APT or broken down by the zinc process into a powder that goes straight back into new hard metal. Heavy alloy and pure tungsten scrap usually return through the chemical route. Recycled tungsten is an important part of a secure supply, since primary production is concentrated in China.
How do I reach Refraxys about material or a project?
Send a short description of your material or your requirement, an analysis if you have one, the quantity and the location to info@refraxys.com, or call us. You speak directly to the person who decides.
Contact
Material to sell, supply to find?
Send us a short description, an analysis if you have one, the quantity and the location. You speak directly to the person who decides.
Dr.-Ing. Ole Brettschneider
Founder & Managing Director