Tungsten Alloys

A refractory metal with a high melting point and a very high density
Tungsten can be used in a pure form but it becomes more useful as an engineering material when alloyed with small quantities of other elements to form a group of products sometimes referred to as Tungsten Heavy Metal Alloys (WHAs). These alloys usually contain 90-97% tungsten and initial forming requires a process of pressing and sintering. Wrought shapes can then be produced however near-final-shape sintering is more common.
Very High Density
Most of the major applications for tungsten alloys are based on its very high density where it is used to control or distribute weight in some way. Tungsten is up to 65% denser than lead and 130% denser than steel. Radiation shielding is a second common application area. Tungsten alloys generally have high strength and good creep resistance however at low temperatures ductility is poor making it unsuitable for some applications. Corrosion resistance and magnetic properties can also be factors in alloy selection.
Tungsten can be used in a granular form to provide balance weight when used as simple ballast. However, more advanced applications form an actual component out of a suitable tungsten alloy making it a functioning part of a final assembly. Examples of this are found in aerospace (wing balances), defence (missile fin balance) and motorsport. Other application areas include computer disk balances, ordnance (kinetic energy penetration), marine balancing components and gyroscope components.
Our Range of Tungsten Alloys
93W-Ni-Fe
A tungsten alloy containing approx 5% nickel and 2% iron. Density approx. 17.5 g/cm³. Slightly magnetic with a tensile strength of 850 N/mm². Main application areas are aerospace and motorsport balancing components.
95W-Ni-Fe
A tungsten alloy containing approx 3% nickel and 2% iron. Density approx. 18.1 g/cm³. Slightly magnetic with a tensile strength of 870 N/mm². Main application areas are aerospace and motorsport ballast and balancing components.
97W-Ni-Fe
A tungsten alloy containing approx 2% nickel and 1% iron. Density approx. 18.5 g/cm³. Slightly magnetic with a tensile strength of 770 N/mm². Main application areas are aerospace and motorsport ballast and balancing components.
90W-Ni-Fe-Mo
A tungsten alloy containing approx 4% nickel, 2% iron and 4% molybdenum. Density approx. 17.1 g/cm³. Slightly magnetic with a tensile strength of 960 N/mm². Main application areas are dies and casting equipment.
90W-Ni-Cu
A tungsten alloy containing approx 6% nickel and 4% copper. Density approx. 16.9 g/cm³. Non-magnetic with a tensile strength of 760 N/mm². Main application areas are radiation shielding and simple balancing.
95W-Ni-Cu
A tungsten alloy containing approx 4% nickel and 1% copper. Density approx. 18 g/cm³. Non-magnetic with a tensile strength of 750 N/mm². Main application areas are radiation shielding and simple balancing.