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Tungsten Alloy W (99.95% CP Tungsten) vs W80Cu20

Tungsten Alloy · grade comparison

Tungsten Alloy W (99.95% CP Tungsten) and W80Cu20 are both tungsten alloy grades. W (99.95% CP Tungsten) is the stronger of the two: yield strength 750 MPa (109 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for W80Cu20, about 60% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 630 MPa (91.4 ksi). In exchange, W80Cu20 is the more ductile: elongation 3% versus 2% for W (99.95% CP Tungsten), and W (99.95% CP Tungsten) is harder (415 HB vs 205 HB). W80Cu20 is lighter (15.25 g/cm³ vs 19.25 g/cm³ for W (99.95% CP Tungsten)) and W (99.95% CP Tungsten) is stiffer (400 GPa vs 260 GPa). On the shop floor, W80Cu20 machines more easily (poor vs not recommended).

W (99.95% CP Tungsten)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

W80Cu20Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

W (99.95% CP Tungsten) vs W80Cu20: properties

W (99.95% CP Tungsten)W80Cu20

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

400 GPa58 Msi
260 GPa37.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

156 GPa22.6 Msi
103 GPa14.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

310 GPa45 Msi
206 GPa29.9 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.28
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

950 MPa138 ksi
630 MPa91.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

750 MPa109 ksi
470 MPa68.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

2%
3%

Reduction in Area

3%
4%

Compressive Strength

1,400 MPa203 ksi
1,150 MPa167 ksi

Shear Strength

550 MPa79.8 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

12 MPa·√m10.9 ksi·√in
15 MPa·√m13.7 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

3 J2.2 ft·lbf
5 J3.7 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

415 HB
205 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

39 HRC
18 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

440 HV
215 HV

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
98 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

19.25 g/cm³0.7 lb/in³
15.25 g/cm³0.55 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

3,422°C6,192 °F
1,083°C1,981 °F

Liquidus Temperature

3,422°C6,192 °F
3,410°C6,170 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

173 W/m·K100 BTU/hr·ft·°F
190 W/m·K110 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

132 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F
180 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

4.5 µm/m·K2.5 µin/in·°F
8.3 µm/m·K4.6 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

192 J/g82.5 BTU/lb
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,200°C2,192 °F
500°C932 °F

Min Service Temperature

20°C68 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

31 % IACS
34 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.2 µΩ·in
5.1×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.01 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
-0.22 V

Corrosion Resistance

62 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

12 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
20%

Weldability

12 / 100
10 / 100

Formability (cold)

8 / 100
5 / 100

Castability

3 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
85 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

400 MJ/kg171,969 BTU/lb
190 MJ/kg81,685 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

27 kg CO₂/kg
14 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

49 kN·m/kg
41 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

20.8 MN·m/kg
17 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

703 kJ/m³
425 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

68.1 mm²/s
69.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

91
55

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)W80Cu20

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityW (99.95% CP Tungsten)W80Cu20
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

W (99.95% CP Tungsten) vs W80Cu20 — frequently asked

Is W (99.95% CP Tungsten) stronger than W80Cu20?

Yes. W (99.95% CP Tungsten) has a typical yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for W80Cu20 — about 60% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 630 MPa (91.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, W (99.95% CP Tungsten) or W80Cu20?

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, W (99.95% CP Tungsten) or W80Cu20?

W80Cu20. Its machinability rates poor (30/100) 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 W (99.95% CP Tungsten) and W80Cu20 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.