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Tungsten Alloy Class 4 Tungsten vs W (99.95% CP Tungsten)

Tungsten Alloy · grade comparison

Tungsten Alloy Class 4 Tungsten and W (99.95% CP Tungsten) are both tungsten alloy grades. Class 4 Tungsten is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) against 750 MPa (109 ksi) for W (99.95% CP Tungsten), about 87% more; tensile strength follows at 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) vs 950 MPa (138 ksi). Class 4 Tungsten is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 2% for W (99.95% CP Tungsten), and Class 4 Tungsten is harder (55 HRC vs 39 HRC). Class 4 Tungsten runs hotter in service (2,200°C vs 1,200°C continuous) and W (99.95% CP Tungsten) conducts heat better (173 W/m·K vs 46 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Class 4 Tungsten welds better (fair vs not recommended).

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

Class 4 Tungsten vs W (99.95% CP Tungsten): properties

Class 4 TungstenW (99.95% CP Tungsten)

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

155 GPa22.5 Msi
156 GPa22.6 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.28

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,800 MPa261 ksi
950 MPa138 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

1,400 MPa203 ksi
750 MPa109 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
2%

Reduction in Area

15%
3%

Compressive Strength

2,200 MPa319 ksi
1,400 MPa203 ksi

Shear Strength

1,000 MPa145 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

650 MPa94.3 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

30 MPa·√m27.3 ksi·√in
12 MPa·√m10.9 ksi·√in

Hardness, Rockwell C

55 HRC
39 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

600 HV
440 HV

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
3 J2.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

—
415 HB

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

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

19.7 g/cm³0.71 lb/in³
19.25 g/cm³0.7 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

3,120°C5,648 °F
3,422°C6,192 °F

Liquidus Temperature

3,140°C5,684 °F
3,422°C6,192 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

46 W/m·K26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
173 W/m·K100 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)

4.6 µm/m·K2.6 µin/in·°F
4.5 µm/m·K2.5 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb
192 J/g82.5 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

2,200°C3,992 °F
1,200°C2,192 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
20°C68 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

5.5 % IACS
31 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m12.2 µΩ·in
5.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.2 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.1 V
-0.15 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

8 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

6%
12%

Weldability

40 / 100
12 / 100

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
8 / 100

Castability

2 / 100
3 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
65 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

520 MJ/kg223,560 BTU/lb
400 MJ/kg171,969 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

34 kg CO₂/kg
27 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
450 L/kg53.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

20%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

91 kN·m/kg
49 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

20.3 MN·m/kg
20.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

2,450 kJ/m³
703 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

17.3 mm²/s
68.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

45
91

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 (99.95% CP Tungsten)Class 4 Tungsten

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityClass 4 TungstenW (99.95% CP Tungsten)
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Class 4 Tungsten vs W (99.95% CP Tungsten) — frequently asked

Is Class 4 Tungsten stronger than W (99.95% CP Tungsten)?

Yes. Class 4 Tungsten has a typical yield strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) against 750 MPa (109 ksi) for W (99.95% CP Tungsten) — about 87% more. Tensile strength is 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) vs 950 MPa (138 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Class 4 Tungsten or W (99.95% CP 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 welds better, Class 4 Tungsten or W (99.95% CP Tungsten)?

Class 4 Tungsten. Its weldability rates fair (40/100) against not recommended (12/100) for W (99.95% CP Tungsten).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Class 4 Tungsten and W (99.95% CP 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.