Tungsten Grades
Five datasheets, one per grade: typical density, hardness, magnetic behavior, how it machines and the tolerance a shop can hold. For a side-by-side comparison instead of a single grade, see the grade comparison guide.
Pure tungsten
The highest melting point of any metal. Brittle at room temperature, machined with care for furnace and welding-electrode parts.
Tungsten heavy alloy, W-Ni-Fe
90 to 97% tungsten in a nickel-iron binder. Cuts like hard cast iron. Mildly magnetic. The default grade for shielding and counterweights.
Tungsten heavy alloy, W-Ni-Cu
Same density range as W-Ni-Fe with a nickel-copper binder in place of iron. Effectively non-magnetic, for parts near MRI or sensors.
Tungsten copper
A tungsten skeleton infiltrated with copper. Cuts cleanly, more like a hard bronze. Used for EDM electrodes and electrical contacts.
Tungsten carbide
A sintered tungsten carbide and cobalt cermet. Too hard to mill after sintering, so it is ground and EDM cut instead.