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Tungsten Alloy 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe vs W-25Re

Tungsten Alloy · grade comparison

Tungsten Alloy 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe and W-25Re are both tungsten alloy grades. W-25Re is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe, about 3.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). W-25Re is harder — 620 HV against 310 HV for 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe is lighter (18.5 g/cm³ vs 19.7 g/cm³ for W-25Re) and W-25Re runs hotter in service (2,400°C vs 500°C continuous). On the shop floor, 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe machines more easily (fair vs not recommended), W-25Re welds better (fair vs poor), and W-25Re forms better (poor vs not recommended).

97W-2.1Ni-0.9FeChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.

W-25ReChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe vs W-25Re: properties

97W-2.1Ni-0.9FeW-25Re

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

390 GPa56.6 Msi
400 GPa58 Msi

Shear Modulus

152 GPa22 Msi
156 GPa22.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

300 GPa43.5 Msi
310 GPa45 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

700 MPa102 ksi
2,100 MPa305 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

600 MPa87 ksi
1,850 MPa268 ksi

Reduction in Area

4%
30%

Compressive Strength

1,300 MPa189 ksi
—

Shear Strength

480 MPa69.6 ksi
—

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

255 MPa37 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

45 MPa·√m41 ksi·√in
25 MPa·√m22.8 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

6 J4.4 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

290 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

30 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

310 HV
620 HV

Same in both: Elongation at Break 4%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

18.5 g/cm³0.67 lb/in³
19.7 g/cm³0.71 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,455°C2,651 °F
3,000°C5,432 °F

Liquidus Temperature

3,400°C6,152 °F
3,080°C5,576 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

100 W/m·K57.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

135 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F
140 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

4.3 µm/m·K2.4 µin/in·°F
4.6 µm/m·K2.6 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

500°C932 °F
2,400°C4,352 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
185 J/g79.5 BTU/lb

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)

-0.25 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

15 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
30 / 100

Castability

5 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

380 MJ/kg163,371 BTU/lb
750 MJ/kg322,442 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

26 kg CO₂/kg
55 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

500 L/kg59.9 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)

38 kN·m/kg
107 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

21.1 MN·m/kg
20.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

462 kJ/m³
4,278 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

40 mm²/s
16.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

42
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-25Re97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability97W-2.1Ni-0.9FeW-25Re
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe vs W-25Re — frequently asked

Is W-25Re stronger than 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe?

Yes. W-25Re has a typical yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe — about 3.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe 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, 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe or W-25Re?

97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe. 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 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe 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.