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Tungsten Alloy W70Cu30 vs WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)

Tungsten Alloy · grade comparison

Tungsten Alloy W70Cu30 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 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for W70Cu30, about 4.2 times as much; tensile strength follows at 2,200 MPa (319 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). In exchange, W70Cu30 is the more ductile: elongation 5% versus 2.5% for WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten), and WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) is harder (455 HB vs 185 HB). W70Cu30 is lighter (14 g/cm³ vs 19.3 g/cm³ for WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)) and WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) is stiffer (400 GPa vs 230 GPa). On the shop floor, W70Cu30 machines more easily (fair vs not recommended).

W70Cu30Choose 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.

W70Cu30 vs WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten): properties

W70Cu30WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

230 GPa33.4 Msi
400 GPa58 Msi

Shear Modulus

90 GPa13.1 Msi
156 GPa22.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

195 GPa28.3 Msi
310 GPa45 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.28

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
2,200 MPa319 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

450 MPa65.3 ksi
1,900 MPa276 ksi

Elongation at Break

5%
2.5%

Compressive Strength

1,000 MPa145 ksi
2,200 MPa319 ksi

Shear Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
1,300 MPa189 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

20 MPa·√m18.2 ksi·√in
12 MPa·√m10.9 ksi·√in

Hardness, Brinell

185 HB
455 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

95 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

200 HV
480 HV

Reduction in Area

—
35%

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
800 MPa116 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
2 J1.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
48 HRC

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

14 g/cm³0.51 lb/in³
19.3 g/cm³0.7 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,083°C1,981 °F
3,422°C6,192 °F

Liquidus Temperature

—
3,422°C6,192 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

200 W/m·K116 BTU/hr·ft·°F
168 W/m·K97.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

205 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F
132 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

9.4 µm/m·K5.2 µin/in·°F
4.5 µm/m·K2.5 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

600°C1,112 °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

42 % IACS
31 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

4.1×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.61 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)

-0.15 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

50 / 100
60 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

28%
8%

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
25 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 15 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb
380 MJ/kg163,371 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

19 kg CO₂/kg
22 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

44 kN·m/kg
114 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

16.4 MN·m/kg
20.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

440 kJ/m³
4,513 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

69.7 mm²/s
65.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

57
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)W70Cu30

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityW70Cu30WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

W70Cu30 vs WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) — frequently asked

Is WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) stronger than W70Cu30?

Yes. WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) has a typical yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for W70Cu30 — about 4.2 times as much. Tensile strength is 2,200 MPa (319 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, W70Cu30 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, W70Cu30 or WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)?

W70Cu30. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) 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 W70Cu30 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.