Recycling of carbide tools

CSR
Recycling of carbide tools

Sumitomo Electric Group has a complete domestic system which recycles almost the total volume of cemented carbide insert, drills, and endmills, etc. (100% sold domestically).
This page introduces where tungsten, which is one of the main materials for cemented carbide tools, is situated currently and how Sumitomo Electric Group has been engaged in recycling activities.

What are cemented carbide tools made of?

Cemented carbide tools are indispensable for metal processing in automotive and aviation industries. Approximately 90% of those cemented carbide tools is made of a rare metal called “Tungsten(W)".

Composition of a general cemented carbide tool　W tungsten 90% Cemented carbide tools composed of a mass of tungsten

A Variety of Cemented Carbide Tools Made of Rare Metal

Image: A Variety of Cemented Carbide Tools Made of Rare Metal

Place and Volume of Tungsten Resources, A Main Material of Cemented Carbide Tools

Sources of tungsten used for cemented carbide tools are scattered unevenly as shown in the figure below and prospective countries are limited. Japan is dependent on imports for its total volume and is always exposed to a supply risk of this resource.

Image: Place and Volume of Tungsten Resources, A Main Material of Cemented Carbide Tools

Source: Mineral Commodity Summaries2013

Tungsten Consumption Ratio in Major Countries

Because tungsten is heat-resistant and becomes harder as it is alloyed, most of the major countries in the world use this for manufacturing cemented carbide tools.

image: Tungsten Consumption Ratio in Major Countries