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Refractory Metal Ta-10W vs Ta-40Nb

Refractory Metal · grade comparison

Refractory Metal Ta-10W and Ta-40Nb are both refractory metal grades. Ta-10W is the stronger of the two: yield strength 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for Ta-40Nb, about 150% more; tensile strength follows at 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 330 MPa (47.9 ksi). Ta-10W is harder — 225 HB against 125 HB for Ta-40Nb — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Ta-40Nb is lighter (12.1 g/cm³ vs 16.8 g/cm³ for Ta-10W) and Ta-10W is stiffer (205 GPa vs 138 GPa). On the shop floor, Ta-40Nb welds better (excellent vs very good) and Ta-40Nb forms better (excellent vs good).

Ta-10WChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Ta-40NbChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when it will be welded.

Ta-10W vs Ta-40Nb: properties

Ta-10WTa-40Nb

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
138 GPa20 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
51 GPa7.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
165 GPa23.9 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.33
0.36

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

690 MPa100 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
27%

Reduction in Area

60%
65%

Shear Strength

415 MPa60.2 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

290 MPa42.1 ksi
160 MPa23.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

225 HB
125 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

97 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

240 HV
130 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

16.8 g/cm³0.61 lb/in³
12.1 g/cm³0.44 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

3,030°C5,486 °F
2,650°C4,802 °F

Liquidus Temperature

3,080°C5,576 °F
2,750°C4,982 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F
32 W/m·K18.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

145 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F
190 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

6.5 µm/m·K3.6 µin/in·°F
6.8 µm/m·K3.8 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

185 J/g79.5 BTU/lb
250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-269°C-452 °F
-253°C-423 °F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

7 % IACS
4.3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 µΩ·in
4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m15.7 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

95 / 100
90 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

25 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

18%
22%

Weldability

70 / 100
85 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
85 / 100

Castability

15 / 100
20 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
50 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

3,600 MJ/kg1,547,723 BTU/lb
2,800 MJ/kg1,203,784 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

220 kg CO₂/kg
160 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

2,500 L/kg300 gal/lb
—

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

41 kN·m/kg
27 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.2 MN·m/kg
11.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

738 kJ/m³
175 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

18.5 mm²/s
13.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

23
11

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every refractory metal grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

1502003005007001,0001,5005101520Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleTa-40NbTa-10W

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityTa-10WTa-40Nb
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Ta-10W vs Ta-40Nb — frequently asked

Is Ta-10W stronger than Ta-40Nb?

Yes. Ta-10W has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for Ta-40Nb — about 150% more. Tensile strength is 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 330 MPa (47.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Ta-10W or Ta-40Nb?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which welds better, Ta-10W or Ta-40Nb?

Ta-40Nb. Its weldability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (70/100) for Ta-10W.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Ta-10W and Ta-40Nb side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.