Technical guide · 2026-08-14
Tungsten Alloys
Tungsten products range from brittle high-purity sheet and wire to machinable nickel-iron or nickel-copper heavy alloys and W-Re thermomechanical systems; density and melting point alone do not define interchangeability.
01
Definition and boundary
Includes pure tungsten, W-Re and tungsten heavy alloys; excludes WC-Co hardmetals.
Reference information only: final acceptance is controlled by the ordered product specification, condition, dimensions and certified test results.
02
How the material system works
Strong atomic bonding supports hot strength.
Re lowers brittle transition and improves ductility.
Heavy-alloy binders enable liquid-phase sintering and machining.
03
Representative grades and systems
| Grade or system | Selection focus | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Pure tungsten | High-temperature product with route-sensitive ductility. | Confirm the governing product specification, delivery condition, section size and acceptance tests before treating designations as interchangeable. |
| W-25Re | Rhenium-bearing thermocouple/high-temperature system. | Confirm the governing product specification, delivery condition, section size and acceptance tests before treating designations as interchangeable. |
| 90W-Ni-Fe heavy alloy | Dense composite alloy for shielding and balance weights. | Confirm the governing product specification, delivery condition, section size and acceptance tests before treating designations as interchangeable. |
04
Properties and trade-offs
Extreme heat resistance
High density
Ductile-to-brittle transition sensitivity
05
Product forms and supply conditions
06
Applications and selection
Applications and selection
- Furnace elements
- Radiation shielding
- Electrodes and balance masses
Properties and trade-offs
- Separate pure W from heavy alloy.
- Check service above recrystallization.
- Select binder for corrosion and magnetism.
07
Fabrication, durability and inspection
Avoid oxygen pickup.
Machine heavy alloy with binder-aware practice.
Qualify brazing and thermal expansion mismatch.
08
Procurement checklist
- State pure, W-Re or heavy-alloy system.
- Define density, binder chemistry and condition.
- Specify grain, porosity, dimensions and NDT.
09
Standards, sources and review
Standards and designation context
- Applicable ASTM B10 product specification
- Buyer drawing and material condition
- Qualified joining and inspection procedure