「Why does the price of tungsten steel keep going up?"Do you have the same question in your mind?
In the world of tool makers, metal processing industry, PCB drilling factories, and semiconductor processing, tungsten powder is the core starting point for making tungsten materials and hard alloys, and any fluctuation in the raw material market is enough to affect the cost structure of the entire machining tool and high-end manufacturing industry.
This article will bring you an in-depth understanding of the characteristics of tungsten powder, the reasons for price fluctuations, the types of materials that can be produced, and the common applications of superabrasives, helping you to grasp the pulse of the industry at once.
What is Tungsten Powder?
Tungsten powder is powdered metallic tungsten, which is the main raw material for manufacturing various types of tungsten materials and tungsten carbide.High melting point, high hardness and excellent electrical conductivityThis has led to a wide range of applications in various industrial fields.
Tungsten powder main properties:
- Ultra-high melting point (approx. 3400°C)
- low density
- High strength and wear resistance
- Not easy to deform, excellent resistance to high temperature conditions.
- Stabilized thermal and electrical conduction properties
Therefore, tungsten powder is regarded as an irreplaceable metal material in the high-performance manufacturing chain, and it is a key raw material for the processing of semiconductor, AI, high-speed cutting tools, and large equipment industries.
Why is the price of tungsten soaring? 4 Main Reasons for the Price Increase
The price of tungsten carbide (super hard alloy) has risen in recent years due to a number of reasons that have led to an overall increase in the cost of "upstream raw material, tungsten powder":
(1) Scarcity of Upstream Mineral Resources
- The world's major tungsten mines are concentrated in China, which is subject to strict mineral policy control.
- Higher mining costs resulting in higher raw material prices
(2) Demand for the high-end industry is growing rapidly
The rapid expansion of industries such as AI, electric vehicles, 5G, and semiconductors is driving this:
- Increased consumption of PCB microvia drilling needles
- Rising demand for carbide tools
- Demand for high-end molds, wear-resistant parts climbs
Demand exceeds supply, naturally pushing up market prices.
(3) Environmental Policy
Mineral mining and smelting processes are subject to environmental regulations, resulting in higher supply costs.
(4) Geopolitical Impact
Export policies of major supplier countries and international trade frictions pushed up market price volatility.
What kind of materials can tungsten powder be made into? Wide range of applications
Tungsten powder can be made into many industrial high-performance materials through different processing methods.
Tungsten Carbide Powder (WC Powder)
- Tungsten powder is mixed with carbon powder and reacted at high temperature to form tungsten carbide powder, which is the core base material of hard alloy.
- Tungsten powder is used in a wide range of applications from tool making, equipment parts to wear resistant applications, and is an important foundation for industrial manufacturing.
Tungsten Carbide (WC)
common nameTungsten carbide, super hard alloys, cemented carbide.將Tungsten Carbide Powder (WC Powder)and bonded metalsCobalt (Co)They are sintered together at a high temperature, and titanium carbide (TiC) or tantalum carbide (TaC) is added when necessary to produce wear-resistant and high hardness materials:
- Carbide Rods
- Optical film material
- Tungsten steel plate, mold plate material
- PCB Drill Pins
- Materials for high speed milling cutters and microdiameter tools
Pure Tungsten Materials
- Tungsten Wire：Used for filament and heating element.
- Tungsten Block, Tungsten Plate, Tungsten Bar
Tungsten Alloy Material
- Tungsten-based high-density alloys (W-Ni-Fe / W-Ni-Cu): Aerospace parts, military supplies and medical radiation protection.
- Tungsten-copper alloy: Both conductive and high temperature resistant, commonly used in electrodes and heat sinks.
What are the typical applications of superabrasives?
Tungsten carbide is widely used in high-precision and high-load machining situations due to its hardness, which is second only to diamond, high wear resistance and excellent chipping resistance.
Electronics and Semiconductors
- Precision molds and wear parts for semiconductors
- PCB Drill Pins for High-end AI Servers
Metal Cutting and CNC Machining Tools
- Drill bits, end mills, ball cutters, chamfering cutters
- Machining tools for steel, cast iron, aluminum, and stainless steel.
Automotive, Aerospace, Mold & Die
- Cutting tools for engine parts and turbine blade machining
- Precision tools for high-temperature and high-load environments
Manufacture of Medical Devices and Precision Parts
- Orthopedic implant machining tools
- Manufacture of high-precision surgical instrument parts
- Stainless steel, titanium alloy medical parts machining tools
Other Wear Parts and Tools
- Wear-resistant parts for construction and crushing tools
- Stamping Die, Powder Metallurgy Die
- mining tool
ifNeed for long life, high precision, wear resistanceIn the manufacturing environment, superabrasives are the material of choice.
AXISMATERIA What high quality carbide materials are offered?
AXISMATERIA utilizes the same high-grade powder and sintering technology as the Sumitomo Group, and focuses on providing superhard alloys required for high-end precision manufacturing, toStability, homogeneity and high performanceIt is known to be much better than the average supplier.
Diversified product line coverage:
(1) Round Rods）
(Extended reading:The M9 era is coming｜AXISMATERIA helps to upgrade PCB drilling needles to meet the high-speed era of AI.)
(2) Milling cutter material for difficult cutting material processing
(Extended reading:AXISMATERIA Carbide End Mills AF413X | For Aerospace, Medical, High Temperature Molds and Other Difficult Cutting Materials)
(6)Other wear-resistant tools,Specialists in Cutting Toolssource material
See more AXISMATERIA products:https://asun-photonics.com/product-category/axismateria/
Conclusion: Choosing quality material is choosing long-term competitiveness.
On a precision-machined racetrack."Material" is not just a part of production cost, but a "strategic variable" that determines the final product yield.
As demand for AI, 5G, EV, and semiconductors continues to rise, superabrasives will be more important than ever. If you are looking for:
- Longer life tool materials
- Hard alloy material with more stable product quality.
- High-end materials that support high-end PCB and semiconductor processing.
AXISMATERIA provides you with a reliable material base to help keep your processes competitive.
Inquire online today:https://line.me/R/ti/p/%40332yetoa
Contact Information
Yuehwei Technology Corporation (Taipei Headquarters)
Address: 1F, No. 417-1, Sec. 6, Minquan E. Road, Neihu District, Taipei City (Rear Building)
Telephone: +886-2-2632-7601
Fax: +886-2-2632-7604
Official LINE:https://line.me/R/ti/p/%40332yetoa
Dongguan Ruiting Hardware Machinery Co.
Address: 208, Area 4, Chang'an Commercial Plaza, No. 303, Changqing South Road, Chang'an Town, Dongguan City (Office of Di Wang Plaza)
Telephone: +86-769-8115-4569
Fax: +86-769-8176-9159
Shanghai Futing Machinery Technology Co.
Address：Room 1009, No.5 Building, Asia Pacific Plaza, No.18 Zhaofeng Road, Huaqiao Town, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, China.
Telephone: +86-512-5032-0213
Fax: +86-512-5032-0215
