Refractory Metal W-26Re
ASTM B387 Grade WRe26
W-26Re is the standard negative-leg alloy for Type C thermocouples (ASTM B387 Grade WRe26, ASTM E230 Type C), paired with W-5Re.
Reference datasheet — W-26Re is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the SR condition
W-26Re tempers and conditions
W-26Re is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. SR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Recrystallized / fully annealed | Use where dimensional and EMF stability after long high-temperature service matters more than strength; the Re content keeps useful ductility even recrystallized. | 700 | 1,100 | 15 | 41 HRC | 5.6 % IACS |
SRDefault Stress relieved | The standard commercially stocked condition: worked stock stress-relieved below the recrystallization temperature for the best combination of strength and handling ductility. | 1,200 | 1,500 | 8 | 480 HV | 45 W/m·K |
Thermocouple wire, Type C negative leg | Order this when EMF calibration to Type C (W-5Re/W-26Re) tolerances, matched spools and cleanliness matter, not mechanical properties. | 1,650 | 1,800 | 4 | 52 HRC | 5.4 % IACS |
Cold worked | Choose for maximum strength and springiness in fine wire, filaments and probe legs where the part will not be exposed long enough to recrystallize. | 1,950 | 2,200 | 3 | 55 HRC | 5.1 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways W-26Re is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
AS | As-sintered | Coating |
What is W-26Re?
W-26Re is the standard negative-leg alloy for Type C thermocouples (ASTM B387 Grade WRe26, ASTM E230 Type C), paired with W-5Re. The high rhenium content keeps the wire workable and stable, giving 1200 MPa yield, 1500 MPa tensile, 8 % elongation, 410 GPa modulus and 45 W/m·K, with stability up to about 2320 °C in inert or vacuum atmospheres; it is supplied as-swaged, stress-relieved, cold-worked, recrystallized and thermocouple-grade wire. Machinability (8) and formability (35) are very low, weldability is limited (30), and air use above ~500 °C requires coating or an enclosure. W-26Re has a density of 19.7 g/cm³ (0.712 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 3,120°C (5,648 °F). W-26Re has a yield strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 96% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 410 GPa (59.5 Msi).
What is W-26Re used for?
- Type C thermocouple wire
- vacuum/inert atmosphere temperature sensing
- high-temperature furnace instrumentation
Advantages
- High service temperature — 2,320°C (4,208 °F), better than 98% of refractory metal grades
- Stiff — 410 GPa (59.5 Msi), better than 97% of refractory metal grades
- High strength — 1,200 MPa (174 ksi), better than 96% of refractory metal grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 19.7 g/cm³ (0.712 lb/in³), worse than 97% of refractory metal grades
- Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 92% of refractory metal grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 75% of refractory metal grades
W-26Re properties
Typical room-temperature values for W-26Re-SR; bars are the position among refractory metal grades.
Physical3
W-26Re has a density of 19.7 g/cm³ (0.712 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 3,120°C (5,648 °F).
Mechanical8
W-26Re has a yield strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 96% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 410 GPa (59.5 Msi).
Thermal6
W-26Re is rated for continuous service to 2,320°C (4,208 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 56% of refractory metal grades. Thermal expansion is 4.8 µm/m·K (2.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
W-26Re conducts electricity at 5.4 % IACS, worse than 52% of refractory metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 72% of refractory metal grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of W-26Re takes about 750 MJ of energy and emits 50 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of refractory metal grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
W-26Re's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 92% of refractory metal grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (35/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the refractory metal family
Yield strength against density for every refractory metal grade FabDigit runs. W-26Re is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with W-26Re
Is W-26Re easy to machine?
Treat like a hard ceramic-metal: grind, EDM or laser-cut; if turning is unavoidable use rigid setups, negative-rake carbide/CBN, low speeds and preheat to reduce chipping.
Can W-26Re be welded?
Join by electron-beam, laser or resistance/spot welding in vacuum or inert gas; the weld and HAZ recrystallize and lose ductility, so avoid welds in bending or fatigue locations.
Can W-26Re be formed, bent or molded?
Made by pressing and sintering W/Re powders then rolling, swaging and drawing at 1200–1600 °C; only thin wire and foil take meaningful room-temperature bending, and all forming must be interstage stress-relieved.
W-26Re chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Resingle-phase solid solution target; higher Re risks sigma/chi phase | 25 – 27 | 26 |
| Ctypical impurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Otypical impurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Ntypical impurity limit | ≤ 0 | 0 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Al | ≤ 0 | 0 |
| W | balance |
What surface finishes work on W-26Re?
Chemically clean or electropolish; not anodizable — for use above ~500 °C in air it needs a protective coating or an inert/vacuum enclosure.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Refractory Metal W-26Re in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B387 Grade WRe26
- Also called
- W26Re
How much does W-26Re cost?
W-26Re is a high-cost refractory metal ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
W-26Re — frequently asked
What is W-26Re used for?
W-26Re is typically used for type C thermocouple wire, vacuum/inert atmosphere temperature sensing and high-temperature furnace instrumentation. In short: type C negative leg; stable to 2320 °C; most ductile W-Re thermocouple alloy.
What is the yield strength of W-26Re?
W-26Re has a typical yield strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 96% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is W-26Re easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 92% of refractory metal grades). Treat like a hard ceramic-metal: grind, EDM or laser-cut; if turning is unavoidable use rigid setups, negative-rake carbide/CBN, low speeds and preheat to reduce chipping.
Can W-26Re be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Join by electron-beam, laser or resistance/spot welding in vacuum or inert gas; the weld and HAZ recrystallize and lose ductility, so avoid welds in bending or fatigue locations.
What surface finishes work on W-26Re?
Chemically clean or electropolish; not anodizable — for use above ~500 °C in air it needs a protective coating or an inert/vacuum enclosure.
Can W-26Re be formed, bent or molded?
Made by pressing and sintering W/Re powders then rolling, swaging and drawing at 1200–1600 °C; only thin wire and foil take meaningful room-temperature bending, and all forming must be interstage stress-relieved.
What is the maximum service temperature of W-26Re?
W-26Re is rated for continuous use to about 2,320°C (4,208 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between W-26Re-SR and W-26Re-CW?
SR is the default condition — the standard commercially stocked condition: worked stock stress-relieved below the recrystallization temperature for the best combination of strength and handling ductility. CW: choose for maximum strength and springiness in fine wire, filaments and probe legs where the part will not be exposed long enough to recrystallize. Yield strength is 1,200 MPa in SR versus 1,950 MPa in CW.
How much does W-26Re cost?
W-26Re is a high-cost refractory metal ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM B387 — Molybdenum and Molybdenum Alloy Bar, Rod, and Wire (tungsten/tungsten-alloy analogues and WRe grades) — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM E230/E230M — Standard Specification and Temperature-EMF Tables for Standardized Thermocouples (Type C) — ASTM International (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (refractory metals) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Alloy Phase Diagrams Database — W-Re system — ASM International (2016)
- Tungsten-rhenium alloy wire and rod technical data — Rhenium Alloys / Plansee (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.