What is APT in the tungsten market?

Ammonium paratungstate — the intermediate compound between mined concentrate and tungsten powder. The industry prices tungsten off APT, quoted in dollars per mtu (metric ton unit).

Why does China control the tungsten price?

China mines about 80 percent of the world's tungsten and dominates downstream processing. Its export licensing, quotas, and the 15-firm export list for 2026–2027 directly set global availability.

Does the U.S. mine tungsten?

No — the United States has had no commercial tungsten mining since 2015, and developing a new mine typically takes a decade or more.

SOCIAL PROOF

Recent pickups.

Real material, real money. Every photo below is copper or carbide Ironcrest actually bought and paid for — no stock photos.

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WE BUY

PLATE No. 266 — Recent pickups

PROOF, NOT PROMISES

Recent pickups.

Every photo below is material Ironcrest actually bought and paid for — copper wire, carbide inserts, end mills, bushings, and rings, picked up from shops and sellers. No stock photos, no borrowed pictures. When I say I buy it, this is what "it" looks like rolling in.

Crate of large carbide rings — Carbide rings, bought October 2026

Boxes of carbide bushings — Carbide bushings

Bin of used solid-carbide end mills — Used solid-carbide end mills

Heavy insulated copper cable — Thick insulated copper cable

Buckets of bare bright copper wire and copper tube — Bare bright copper wire

Buckets of used carbide inserts — Used carbide inserts

Buckets of copper tube cutoffs — Copper tube cutoffs

Truck bed of bare copper wire — Bare copper wire

Jugs and buckets of stripped copper wire — Stripped copper wire

Barrels of mixed copper wire — Mixed copper wire

Car trunk of boxed copper wire — Copper wire, picked up

Bins of sorted copper on a cart — Sorted copper on the cart

Have material like this? Send photos for today's offer — or call 312-880-8174.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions, answered.

Are these your real purchases?

Yes. Every photo on this page is material Ironcrest Industrial Surplus bought and paid for. No stock photos, no borrowed pictures.

How do I sell you material like this?

Send clear photos with an honest description and estimated weight, get today's offer, and we arrange pickup or shipping. Call 312-880-8174.

Do you pay on the spot?

For local Chicago-area pickup, yes — cash on the spot after the material is weighed on a digital scale. Shipped lots are weighed and verified on arrival, then paid promptly.

Send photos, estimated weight, material type, and location for today’s price. Email [email protected] or call 312-880-8174.

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Send photos for today's price.

Clear photos and an honest description are all it takes. Based in Chicago, buying nationwide — send photos, get today's offer, and we will arrange pickup or shipping.

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