Refractory Metal Ta-2.5W vs Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re)
Refractory Metal · grade comparison
Refractory Metal Ta-2.5W and Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re) are both refractory metal grades. Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re) is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Ta-2.5W, about 5.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) vs 415 MPa (60.2 ksi). In exchange, Ta-2.5W is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 4% for Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re), and Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re) is harder (560 HV vs 120 HV). Ta-2.5W is lighter (16.7 g/cm³ vs 19.5 g/cm³ for Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re)) and Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re) is stiffer (395 GPa vs 200 GPa). On the shop floor, Ta-2.5W machines more easily (poor vs not recommended), Ta-2.5W welds better (very good vs poor), and Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re) sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Ta-2.5W (specialty, $$$$$).
Ta-2.5WChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Ta-2.5W vs Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re): 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.
Ta-2.5WType C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re)
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
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
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
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Embodied Water
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 | Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re) |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Vacuum Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Ta-2.5W vs Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re) — frequently asked
Is Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re) stronger than Ta-2.5W?
Yes. Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re) has a typical yield strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Ta-2.5W — about 5.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) vs 415 MPa (60.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Ta-2.5W or Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re)?
Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re) is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Ta-2.5W is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, Ta-2.5W or Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re)?
Ta-2.5W. Its machinability rates poor (18/100) against not recommended (8/100) for Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re); for welding the order is Ta-2.5W first (very good, 80/100) then Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re) (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Ta-2.5W and Type C Thermocouple (W5Re/W26Re) 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.