Refractory Metal Ta-2.5W vs Ta-40Nb
Refractory Metal · grade comparison
Refractory Metal Ta-2.5W and Ta-40Nb are both refractory metal grades. Ta-2.5W is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for Ta-40Nb, about 41% more; tensile strength follows at 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) vs 330 MPa (47.9 ksi). Ta-40Nb is harder — 125 HB against 115 HB for Ta-2.5W — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Ta-40Nb is lighter (12.1 g/cm³ vs 16.7 g/cm³ for Ta-2.5W) and Ta-2.5W is stiffer (200 GPa vs 138 GPa). On the shop floor, Ta-40Nb sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Ta-2.5W (specialty, $$$$$).
Ta-2.5WChoose it when strength drives the design.
Ta-40NbChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.
Ta-2.5W vs Ta-40Nb: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all refractory metal grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all refractory metal grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Ta-2.5W | Ta-40Nb |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Vacuum Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Ta-2.5W vs Ta-40Nb — frequently asked
Is Ta-2.5W stronger than Ta-40Nb?
Yes. Ta-2.5W has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for Ta-40Nb — about 41% more. Tensile strength is 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) vs 330 MPa (47.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Ta-2.5W or Ta-40Nb?
Ta-40Nb is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Ta-2.5W is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, Ta-2.5W or Ta-40Nb?
Ta-40Nb. Its weldability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (80/100) for Ta-2.5W.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Ta-2.5W 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.