Nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, and chromium elements are added to major alloys containing 85-97% tungsten. The densities range from 16.80 to 18.80 g/cm³.3 The W-Ni-Fe alloys are magnetic, while the W-Ni-Cu alloys are non-magnetic. Tungsten alloys are produced using Powder Metallurgy (P/M) methods such as Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP), extrusion, forging, and rolling processes.
Application areas include military equipment, submarine vehicles, aerospace components, and nuclear and medical shielding.
As the copper content increases in tungsten-copper alloys, thermal and electrical conductivity increase, while also exhibiting a notable advantage in resistance to high temperatures. These alloys are known for their ease of machining, low thermal expansion, good wear resistance and corrosion resistance, excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, non-magnetic properties, good performance under vacuum, and resistance to erosion during arcing. They cannot be produced through melting methods and are typically manufactured through powder metallurgy.
The common applications include military applications, defense industry, aerospace, space, electronic devices, and medical equipment.