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Tungsten Alloy 90W-7Ni-3Cu vs W-25Re

Tungsten Alloy · grade comparison

Tungsten Alloy 90W-7Ni-3Cu and W-25Re are both tungsten alloy grades. W-25Re is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for 90W-7Ni-3Cu, about 3.4 times as much; tensile strength follows at 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). W-25Re is the more ductile: elongation 4% versus 3% for 90W-7Ni-3Cu, and W-25Re is harder (620 HV vs 290 HV). 90W-7Ni-3Cu is lighter (17 g/cm³ vs 19.7 g/cm³ for W-25Re) and W-25Re is stiffer (400 GPa vs 320 GPa). On the shop floor, 90W-7Ni-3Cu machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and W-25Re welds better (fair vs not recommended).

90W-7Ni-3CuChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.

W-25ReChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

90W-7Ni-3Cu vs W-25Re: properties

90W-7Ni-3CuW-25Re

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

320 GPa46.4 Msi
400 GPa58 Msi

Shear Modulus

125 GPa18.1 Msi
156 GPa22.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

250 GPa36.3 Msi
310 GPa45 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

700 MPa102 ksi
2,100 MPa305 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
1,850 MPa268 ksi

Elongation at Break

3%
4%

Reduction in Area

4%
30%

Compressive Strength

1,300 MPa189 ksi
—

Shear Strength

470 MPa68.2 ksi
—

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

270 MPa39.2 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

40 MPa·√m36.4 ksi·√in
25 MPa·√m22.8 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

5 J3.7 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

275 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

27 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

290 HV
620 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

17 g/cm³0.61 lb/in³
19.7 g/cm³0.71 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,400°C2,552 °F
3,000°C5,432 °F

Liquidus Temperature

—
3,080°C5,576 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

95 W/m·K54.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

5.2 µm/m·K2.9 µin/in·°F
4.6 µm/m·K2.6 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
2,400°C4,352 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
185 J/g79.5 BTU/lb

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 140 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

15 % IACS
5.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in
3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.2 V
-0.15 V

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
60 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
8 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
5%

Weldability

12 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
30 / 100

Castability

5 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb
750 MJ/kg322,442 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

21 kg CO₂/kg
55 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
400 L/kg47.9 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
107 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

18.8 MN·m/kg
20.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

473 kJ/m³
4,278 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

39.9 mm²/s
16.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

40
51

Strength versus weight

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

5007001,0001,500141516171819Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleW-25Re90W-7Ni-3Cu

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability90W-7Ni-3CuW-25Re
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

90W-7Ni-3Cu vs W-25Re — frequently asked

Is W-25Re stronger than 90W-7Ni-3Cu?

Yes. W-25Re has a typical yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for 90W-7Ni-3Cu — about 3.4 times as much. Tensile strength is 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 90W-7Ni-3Cu or W-25Re?

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 is easier to machine, 90W-7Ni-3Cu or W-25Re?

90W-7Ni-3Cu. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against not recommended (8/100) for W-25Re; for welding the order is W-25Re first (fair, 45/100) then 90W-7Ni-3Cu (not recommended, 12/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 90W-7Ni-3Cu and W-25Re 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.