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Tungsten Alloy Class 4 Tungsten vs W-25Re

Tungsten Alloy · grade comparison

Tungsten Alloy Class 4 Tungsten and W-25Re are both tungsten alloy grades. W-25Re is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) against 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) for Class 4 Tungsten, about 32% more; tensile strength follows at 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) vs 1,800 MPa (261 ksi). In exchange, Class 4 Tungsten is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 4% for W-25Re. W-25Re runs hotter in service (2,400°C vs 2,200°C continuous).

Class 4 TungstenChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

W-25ReChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Class 4 Tungsten vs W-25Re: properties

Class 4 TungstenW-25Re

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

155 GPa22.5 Msi
156 GPa22.6 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,800 MPa261 ksi
2,100 MPa305 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

1,400 MPa203 ksi
1,850 MPa268 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
4%

Reduction in Area

15%
30%

Compressive Strength

2,200 MPa319 ksi
—

Shear Strength

1,000 MPa145 ksi
—

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

650 MPa94.3 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

30 MPa·√m27.3 ksi·√in
25 MPa·√m22.8 ksi·√in

Hardness, Rockwell C

55 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

600 HV
620 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 400 GPa58 Msi · Bulk Modulus 310 GPa45 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

3,120°C5,648 °F
3,000°C5,432 °F

Liquidus Temperature

3,140°C5,684 °F
3,080°C5,576 °F

Same in both: Density 19.7 g/cm³0.71 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

46 W/m·K26.6 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

Latent Heat of Fusion

205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb
185 J/g79.5 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

2,200°C3,992 °F
2,400°C4,352 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 4.6 µm/m·K2.6 µin/in·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

5.5 % IACS
5.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m12.2 µΩ·in
3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.1 V
-0.15 V

Corrosion Resistance

62 / 100
60 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

6%
5%

Weldability

40 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

2 / 100
—

Same in both: Machinability 8 / 100 · Formability (cold) 30 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

520 MJ/kg223,560 BTU/lb
750 MJ/kg322,442 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

34 kg CO₂/kg
55 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

20%
25%

Same in both: Embodied Water 400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

91 kN·m/kg
107 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

2,450 kJ/m³
4,278 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

17.3 mm²/s
16.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

45
51

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 20.3 MN·m/kg

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-25ReClass 4 Tungsten

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityClass 4 TungstenW-25Re
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Class 4 Tungsten vs W-25Re — frequently asked

Is W-25Re stronger than Class 4 Tungsten?

Yes. W-25Re has a typical yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) against 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) for Class 4 Tungsten — about 32% more. Tensile strength is 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) vs 1,800 MPa (261 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Class 4 Tungsten 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 welds better, Class 4 Tungsten or W-25Re?

W-25Re. Its weldability rates fair (45/100) against fair (40/100) for Class 4 Tungsten.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Class 4 Tungsten 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.