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Tungsten Alloy 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe vs WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)

Tungsten Alloy · grade comparison

Tungsten Alloy 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe and WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) are both tungsten alloy grades. WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe, about 3.2 times as much; tensile strength follows at 2,200 MPa (319 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). In exchange, 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe is the more ductile: elongation 4% versus 2.5% for WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten), and WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) is harder (455 HB vs 290 HB). 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe is lighter (18.5 g/cm³ vs 19.3 g/cm³ for WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)) and WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) runs hotter in service (2,000°C vs 500°C continuous). On the shop floor, 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe machines more easily (fair vs not recommended).

97W-2.1Ni-0.9FeChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe vs WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten): properties

97W-2.1Ni-0.9FeWVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)

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
0.28

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

700 MPa102 ksi
2,200 MPa319 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

600 MPa87 ksi
1,900 MPa276 ksi

Elongation at Break

4%
2.5%

Reduction in Area

4%
35%

Compressive Strength

1,300 MPa189 ksi
2,200 MPa319 ksi

Shear Strength

480 MPa69.6 ksi
1,300 MPa189 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

255 MPa37 ksi
800 MPa116 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

45 MPa·√m41 ksi·√in
12 MPa·√m10.9 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

6 J4.4 ft·lbf
2 J1.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

290 HB
455 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

30 HRC
48 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

310 HV
480 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

18.5 g/cm³0.67 lb/in³
19.3 g/cm³0.7 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,455°C2,651 °F
3,422°C6,192 °F

Liquidus Temperature

3,400°C6,152 °F
3,422°C6,192 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

100 W/m·K57.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
168 W/m·K97.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

4.3 µm/m·K2.4 µin/in·°F
4.5 µm/m·K2.5 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

500°C932 °F
2,000°C3,632 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
20°C68 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
192 J/g82.5 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

15 % IACS
31 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in
5.5×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.17 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
60 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
8%

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

5 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 15 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

26 kg CO₂/kg
22 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
30%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 380 MJ/kg163,371 BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
114 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

21.1 MN·m/kg
20.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

462 kJ/m³
4,513 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

40 mm²/s
65.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

42
205

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 scaleWVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability97W-2.1Ni-0.9FeWVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe vs WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) — frequently asked

Is WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) stronger than 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe?

Yes. WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) has a typical yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe — about 3.2 times as much. Tensile strength is 2,200 MPa (319 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe or WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)?

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 WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)?

97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against not recommended (12/100) for WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe and WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) 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.