Tungsten (W)
A refractory metal, the highest melting point of all metals
Typical values for the temper in the title
Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals (about 3420 °C), a very high density (about 19.3 g/cm³, like gold) and an elastic modulus of about 410 GPa, among the highest available. It keeps strength under extreme heat.
On the other hand, at room temperature it is brittle, and very hard to machine and form. It is used for TIG welding electrodes, filaments, vacuum furnace parts, radiation shielding and balance weights. For mechanical uses, "heavy alloys" (tungsten with nickel and iron), which are easier to machine, are often used.
Mechanical and physical properties
| Property | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength Rm | 980–1510 MPa | |
| Yield strength Rp0.2 | 760–1170 MPa | |
| Elongation A | 2–25% | |
| Hardness | 350–450 HB | |
| Modulus of elasticity E | 411 GPa | |
| Density ρ | 19.25 g/cm³ | |
| Melting point | about 3420 °C | the highest of all metals |
| Machinability | 15% — brittle and hard | relative rating in the site database |
Chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Range | Role |
|---|---|---|
| W tungsten | min about 99.95 (commercially pure) |
Typical purity for pure tungsten.
Conditions and product forms
Refractory metals are supplied mainly stress relieved or recrystallized. Properties depend strongly on the production route (powder metallurgy, arc melting) and the amount of working.
| Condition | Properties | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Stress relieved | higher strength, reasonable ductility | most uses |
| Recrystallized | softer, and may be more brittle at room temperature | as required |
| Heavy alloy (ASTM B777, Class 1–4) | 90–97% tungsten with a nickel-iron or nickel-copper binder, density about 16.85–18.85 g/cm³, machinable | weights, radiation shielding, rotating parts |
Applications
- TIG welding electrodes
- Vacuum furnace components
- Radiation shielding
- Balance weights
- High-current electrical contacts
Fabrication
Oxidation
In hot air it oxidizes fast. At high temperatures it is used in vacuum, inert gas or hydrogen, or protected by a coating.
Machining
Very difficult: brittle and hard. Grinding, EDM and carbide tools with careful parameters are common (database: "15% — brittle and hard").
Welding
By electron beam or TIG with full shielding. The weld zone is very brittle.
Compared with similar materials
| Material | Rm / Rp0.2 | Welding | When it is the better choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 700 / 560 MPa | Electron beam / laser | half the weight, melts at a lower temperature · material page |
| Tungsten Carbide (WC-Co) | 2200 MPa | Not possible | tungsten carbide: much harder, for cutting tools · material page |
| Tantalum (Ta) | 270 / 170 MPa | Electron beam | ductile and corrosion resistant · material page |
Common mistakes
Designing a tungsten part under impact at room temperature
It is brittle. For such a part, a heavy alloy.
Machining with steel methods
The material breaks and chips at edges.
Using it hot in air
It oxidizes fast.
Equivalents, standards and supply
| ASTM | B760 |
|---|---|
| Standards | ASTM B760 / ASTM B777 (heavy alloys) |
| Forms | rod · plate · wire · powder |
| Producers | Plansee · H.C. Starck · Midwest Tungsten |
Learn more
Values are typical and for comparison only. For design, rely on the standard, the producer specification and the mill certificate. Sources: ASTM standards (B86, B386, B392/B393, B551, B708, B760 and others), producer data, and the METAL HUB materials database.
Updated: October 31, 2026