Purchasing carbide sludge, filters and filter cartridges
Cemented carbide is not only hard scrap. We also purchase grinding and production sludge, filters, filter cartridges and other fine residues from carbide tool manufacturing in which WC-Co particles are captured.
Carbide sludge is a concentrated production residue
Grinding and finishing carbide tools produces fine tungsten-carbide and binder particles that are captured in process fluid, sediment or filters. Large tungsten-scrap processors classify grinding sludge, powdered scrap and other soft scrap as standard secondary raw materials.
We purchase and assess
- carbide grinding sludge
- production WC/Co sludge and sediments
- filters, filter elements and filter cartridges from carbide production and grinding
- fine dust and captured particles
- selected turnings and tungsten-containing soft scrap
Why price cannot be based on weight alone
Sludge may contain water, emulsion, oil, abrasive, iron particles and other contamination. Two containers with the same weight can therefore contain very different amounts of actual carbide. For correct valuation we need to know the material origin and, where possible, its typical composition.
Filters and filter cartridges also have value
Filter elements and filters from grinding shops can retain fine carbide particles, so they are not automatically ordinary waste. We assess them according to filter type, use and the amount of material captured.
Purchasing filters and filter cartridges from carbide tool manufacturing
During grinding, sharpening and finishing of cemented carbide, fine WC-Co particles enter grinding oil, emulsion or other process fluid and are captured by the filtration system. We purchase used filter cartridges, filter elements and other filtration components when they contain retained carbide material.
Used filter cartridges
Metal filter elements after service in carbide tool production and grinding.
Filters containing captured WC-Co
We assess the origin, filtration circuit and amount of retained material.
Filter elements ready for purchasing
Value depends on the retained carbide fraction, process fluid, filter construction and contamination.
For a more accurate assessment, state the filter or cartridge type, whether the circuit uses oil, emulsion or water, which material is ground and whether HSS, steel or other materials are mixed in the same system.
Soft scrap requires a different approach than carbide hard scrap
With solid tools, material can be weighed and classified relatively easily. In sludge, part of the weight consists of process fluid and foreign components. Industrial suppliers therefore benefit from tracking which grinding operation produces the sludge, whether different material grades are mixed and how the waste is stored.
A regular stream of the same sludge can be assessed much more efficiently than a random mixture from several technologies. Similarly, with filters it helps to know whether they capture only carbide grinding or also other metals and abrasives.
Information that helps
production operation generating the waste
water / oil base
expected or measured metal concentration
packaging method and approximate regular volume
Soft scrap is more than grinding sludge
This group includes fine and unsintered materials generated during production, grinding and processing of carbide. Cleanliness and known composition are critical for every fraction.
Grinding sludge
Grinding and production sludge on a water or oil base.
Dust & filters
Captured carbide dust, filters and filter elements from grinding.
Swarf & turnings
Selected turnings and fine production fractions containing tungsten.
Powder & press scrap
Powders, green scrap and pressed unsintered residues after individual composition assessment.
Other purchasing and processing options
Frequently asked questions
Do you purchase wet carbide sludge?
Yes, but the price depends on the proportion of solids, liquid and contaminants. Wet sludge is therefore assessed individually.
Do you purchase filter cartridges from carbide tool manufacturing?
Yes. We purchase filters, filter elements and filter cartridges from carbide tool production and grinding when they contain retained WC-Co material. We assess origin, filter type, process fluid, retained fraction and contamination.
Is a laboratory analysis required?
Not for every offer. For larger or regular streams, however, composition information significantly improves valuation and the setup of cooperation.
Do you also purchase unsintered carbide or press scrap?
Yes, selected powder and pressed unsintered production residues are assessed individually. We need to know the material origin, composition and level of contamination.
Quick guide to our purchasing categories
Sludge, powders and fine tungsten production residues
Soft scrap also includes sludge, powder fractions and other fine tungsten-based production residues. We assess the material according to origin, composition, moisture and contamination.
Carbide soft scrap – sludge, swarf, chips, dust and green scrap
Carbide production scrap is not always a solid piece. We also assess fine and process-derived fractions such as grinding sludge, carbide swarf, chips, dust, filter residues and selected unsintered or green carbide scrap.
Do you buy carbide swarf and grinding sludge?
Yes. Fine production residues are assessed according to composition, origin and contamination.
What is green carbide scrap?
It refers to selected carbide production residues before final sintering. Actual suitability depends on composition and condition.
Do you have this material for sale?
For a specific offer, we need the material type, approximate quantity and location. For larger stocks, we also arrange logistics.
Real photos of carbide sludge
See real examples of wet and drier carbide sludge and related sludge fractions.
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