3 steps to supply chain security for tool-grade tungsten carbide rods

The availability of carbide rod blanks plays a crucial role in meeting your customer delivery requirements for drills, end mills, reamers, and other cutting tools. The ability to deliver and receive carbide rod blanks on time depends on a complicated global supply chain ecosystem, built on limited mining of natural resources, geographic and political considerations, and the ability to stock and manufacture carbide rods. To help mitigate these risks, toolmakers need to carefully evaluate the capabilities of their carbide rod suppliers to ensure that they have a clear focus on their supply chain management from raw materials to delivery.

Hyperion Materials & Technologies, a provider of innovative hard-material solutions, has carefully analyzed the three critical points that toolmakers can assess to define the stability, agility, and safety of a supplier.

Understand the sourcing of tungsten
Tungsten is a rare metal primarily mined in politically and socially volatile countries (China, 47% of tungsten reserves; Russia, 10%). Sourcing tungsten only in high-risk countries, you are more likely to face supply chain delays.
Chemical recycling offers an alternative source of tungsten, restoring its properties to match those of virgin tungsten. Its inclusion in general-purpose product lines diversifies the sourcing of tungsten and offsets virgin supply chain delays. Find suppliers that avoid sourcing from high-risk countries and diversify their supply chain sources with recycled tungsten carbide. Hyperion supplies tungsten almost exclusively from Western suppliers and recycling programs, minimizing the need to rely on Chinese sourcing.

Ensure local and/or regional production
The next consideration is your vendors’ production capabilities. The manufacture of tungsten carbide rods requires powder formulation, forming, sintering, and grinding capabilities. A supplier with all these capabilities in multiple regions can meet demand faster, reduce transportation cost fluctuations, and reduce risk, knowing that, if necessary, it can meet your requirements from another region.

Know your local stock availability
Finally, seek suppliers offering a diverse range of in-stock options. Prioritize vendors who provide transparent and regular updates on stock levels, facilitating efficient access to tungsten carbide rods when required.
A secure supply chain means reliable delivery to your customers, resulting in an increased competitive edge.

We invite you to contact Hyperion Materials & Technologies through the references provided on this page to learn more about how it can help you achieve a stable, secure chain for your carbide rods.