Machined Tungsten Part Applications
Tungsten is chosen for density or heat. Density puts more mass or more shielding into a small space. Heat resistance keeps a part stable where steel would soften. Below, each application with the grade most shops would suggest.
Radiation shielding
Collimators, shielding inserts, syringe and vial shields, source containers and beam stops. Chosen when lead is too bulky, too soft or not allowed.
Typical grade
Heavy alloy W-Ni-Fe
Aerospace balance and tooling
Balance weights for control surfaces and rotors, and bucking bars for riveting where mass adds control.
Typical grade
Heavy alloy W-Ni-Fe
Oil and gas
Sinker bars and weights for downhole logging tools, and shielding for density and gamma logging sources.
Typical grade
Heavy alloy W-Ni-Fe
Motorsport and sporting goods
Ballast weights that set weight distribution, crankshaft counterweights, golf club and dart weights where mass sits in a small envelope.
Typical grade
Heavy alloy W-Ni-Fe
- Motorsport ballast
- Golf club and dart weights
Machine tooling and vibration damping
Boring bar bodies and tool holders where mass damps chatter, plus threaded fasteners for high-mass assemblies.
Typical grade
Heavy alloy, carbide
Semiconductor and vacuum furnaces
Heat shields, crucibles, boats and hot-zone fixtures that hold shape at very high temperature.
Typical grade
Pure tungsten
- Vacuum furnace components
- Crucibles for vacuum deposition
- Tungsten versus tantalum and molybdenum
Electronics, EDM and welding
Heat sinks and packaging bases that match silicon expansion, EDM electrodes and electrical contacts that resist arc erosion.
Typical grade
Tungsten copper
- Heat sinks for electronics packaging
- Tungsten copper machining
- Welding electrodes versus machined parts
Choosing a grade for your application
Most applications on this page start from one question: do you need density, heat resistance, non-magnetic behavior or wear resistance. Density points to heavy alloy. Heat points to pure tungsten. A part near MRI equipment or sensors points to W-Ni-Cu. Arc erosion points to tungsten copper. Wear points to carbide.
See the grade datasheets for density, hardness and tolerance, the overview of tungsten types, and the grade comparison guide. For how each part is cut, see machining processes.
Frequently asked questions
Why use tungsten when steel or lead is cheaper?
Because of density. Tungsten heavy alloy is roughly 50 to 60% denser than lead and over twice as dense as steel, so it puts more mass or more shielding into a small space. If your envelope is not tight, a cheaper metal often does the job.
Which tungsten grade do most applications use?
Tungsten heavy alloy W-Ni-Fe covers most shielding and counterweight work. W-Ni-Cu is used where the part must be non-magnetic. Pure tungsten is for high temperature, tungsten copper for arc erosion and heat spreading, and carbide for wear.
Can a shop make a part from my drawing if I do not know the grade?
Yes. Describe the job: the density or shielding you need, the temperature, whether the part must be non-magnetic and the quantity. The shops we match will suggest a grade, and you confirm it before they cut.
Does this site cover defense applications?
No. The applications below are industrial, medical, aerospace, energy and consumer. We do not source parts for defense, ammunition or armor use.