(Tungsten) carbide prices

Started by Brian, February 17, 2026, 05:52 PM

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Brian

February 17, 2026, 05:52 PM
Had a chat with my local Mitsubishi rep today, and we got onto the topic of WC prices....

Per a quick Google search on "Ammonium Paratungstate or APT global prices historical":

"Global Ammonium Paratungstate (APT) prices surged to record highs in 2025–2026, driven by Chinese supply restrictions, jumping from ~$340/mtu in early 2025 to over $1,100/mtu by Feb 2026. Following a 2022 average of ~$342/mtu, prices experienced significant, rapid, and sustained upward pressure due to tighter export controls and mine-side shortages."

Curious to hear what folks are seeing out there.

It's interesting that I see random folks dropping by the shop (much more frequently, and boy are they stubborn) offering cash to buy whatever we've got on hand.

Zoffen

#1
February 17, 2026, 06:08 PM
Jokes on them. I only use HSS in my shop!
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Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see.

Safety! is no Accident!

Brian

#2
February 17, 2026, 06:58 PM
Quote from: Zoffen on February 17, 2026, 06:08 PMJokes on them. I only use HSS in my shop!

Keep it real! Side lock holders, too!

And don't forget-real men don't just program manually, they do it standing up at the control!
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Brian

#3
February 17, 2026, 08:36 PM


My Mitsubishi rep forwarded this link earlier-enjoy.
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MIL-TFP-41

#4
Today at 07:05 AM
Scrap prices are through the roof. We are seeing $20+/lb. Compare that to a few years ago when it was $6/lb.
You know that $50 3/8 you are using today? I've been told to expect to pay $80/$90 for that same tool by the end of the year. And 2 years ago that tool was $35.

yea tariff's!!!!!
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SuperHoneyBadger

#5
Today at 07:16 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 17, 2026, 08:36 PMMy Mitsubishi rep forwarded this link earlier-enjoy.

Very cool video, I have not seen that channel before, looks like a lot of great info.
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Brian

#6
Today at 07:52 AM
Quote from: MIL-TFP-41 on Today at 07:05 AMScrap prices are through the roof. We are seeing $20+/lb. Compare that to a few years ago when it was $6/lb.
You know that $50 3/8 you are using today? I've been told to expect to pay $80/$90 for that same tool by the end of the year. And 2 years ago that tool was $35.

yea tariff's!!!!!

Does anyone here know what percentage of a cutting tool's cost is material vs. labor input?

For that matter, how much of the recent price increases are a result of market forces vs. tariff-related effects?

Zoffen

#7
Today at 09:42 AM
I heard that tools made on cutter grinders ran by children wearing flipflops in 3rd world countries cut way better....
Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see.

Safety! is no Accident!

MIL-TFP-41

#8
Today at 09:59 AM
China's reaction to the tariffs was not just to sit back and continue selling with just the tariff cost added. At the same time tariff's happened, they decided to limit supply. So now you have less supply with higher tariff's added. besides being the top producers of tungsten, China also started to import tungsten from mines they developed in Kazakhstan.

In short, China controls the market. Reacting to tariffs by limiting supply put them in the drivers seat on this one.
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