Tungsten Alloy 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe
ASTM B777 Class 4
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe is a liquid-phase-sintered tungsten heavy alloy to ASTM B777 Class 4, with a nickel-iron binder holding near-spherical tungsten grains at about 18.5 g/cm³ density.
Reference datasheet — 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe 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.
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe tempers and conditions
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved | Used for thin or close-tolerance machined parts where distortion after finish machining must be minimised. | 580 | 690 | 5 | 29 HRC | 15 % IACS |
Sintered + vacuum heat treated and quenched | Choose when maximum elongation and impact toughness are needed (kinetic-energy penetrators, dynamically loaded rotors); the anneal removes hydrogen and dissolves brittle intermetallics. | 610 | 730 | 7 | 28 HRC | 15 % IACS |
Swaged / cold worked (≈10–20 % reduction) and aged | Specify for the highest strength and hardness in rod form (penetrator cores, high-load pins); ductility and toughness drop sharply and only simple round sections are available. | 900 | 1,000 | 2 | 38 HRC | 14 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
ASDefault | As-sintered | Coating |
What is 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe?
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe is a liquid-phase-sintered tungsten heavy alloy to ASTM B777 Class 4, with a nickel-iron binder holding near-spherical tungsten grains at about 18.5 g/cm³ density. It is selected when mass must be packed into minimum volume, offering 600 MPa yield, 700 MPa tensile, about 3% elongation and 30 HRC in bar, rod, plate and near-net sintered blanks. Ductility is low at this tungsten level, service is limited to about 500 °C, and the alloy is effectively unweldable by fusion. Lower-tungsten B777 classes (90–95% W) give more elongation and easier machining, at machinability rated 40 here. 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe has a density of 18.5 g/cm³ (0.668 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,455°C (2,651 °F). 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 78% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 390 GPa (56.6 Msi).
What is 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe used for?
- kinetic energy penetrators
- aerospace balance weights
- gyroscope rotors
- radiation shielding
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 40/100, better than 98% of tungsten alloy grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 45 MPa·√m (41 ksi·√in), better than 95% of tungsten alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 4%, better than 80% of tungsten alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 86% of tungsten alloy grades
- Low strength — 600 MPa (87 ksi), worse than 78% of tungsten alloy grades
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among tungsten alloy grades.
Physical3
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe has a density of 18.5 g/cm³ (0.668 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,455°C (2,651 °F).
Mechanical16
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 78% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 390 GPa (56.6 Msi).
Thermal5
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 100 W/m·K (57.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 62% of tungsten alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 4.3 µm/m·K (2.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe conducts electricity at 15 % IACS, worse than 69% of tungsten alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 86% of tungsten alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe takes about 380 MJ of energy and emits 26 kg of CO₂ — less than 62% of tungsten alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 98% of tungsten alloy grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
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 tungsten alloy family
Yield strength against density for every tungsten alloy grade FabDigit runs. 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe
Is 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe easy to machine?
Machinable with sharp carbide or CBN tooling at low speed, high feed and rigid setups — treat like a hard cast iron; grinding and EDM are common for finishing, and dust must be collected (Ni/Co-free but respirable).
Can 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe be welded?
Effectively unweldable by fusion (binder segregation and cracking); join by silver/copper brazing, shrink fit, threading or adhesive, with EB/laser welding only for qualified special cases.
Can 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape by press-and-liquid-phase-sinter at 1450–1500 °C with ~18–20 % linear shrinkage; at 97 % W only limited rotary swaging of round bar is feasible, no sheet forming.
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe 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 |
|---|---|---|
| WASTM B777 Class 4 requires 97 % W nominal; density class controls acceptance | 96.5 – 97.5 | 97 |
| Nibinder phase, Ni:Fe ≈ 7:3 | 1.8 – 2.4 | 2.1 |
| Cimpurity — carbon forms brittle carbides | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Oimpurity | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Febalance of Ni+Fe binder | ≥ 0.7 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe?
No anodizing; parts are supplied ground, oiled, electroless-nickel or chrome plated, or epoxy-painted for humid and salt-spray environments.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Tungsten Alloy 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B777 Class 4
- Also called
- WNiFe 97-2.1-0.9
How much does 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe cost?
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe is a high-cost tungsten alloy ($$$$), 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.
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe — frequently asked
What is 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe used for?
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe is typically used for kinetic energy penetrators, aerospace balance weights, gyroscope rotors and radiation shielding. In short: near-maximum density, 18.5 g/cm³; highest-tungsten heavy alloy; low ductility, not weldable.
What is the yield strength of 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe?
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 78% of tungsten alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 98% of tungsten alloy grades). Machinable with sharp carbide or CBN tooling at low speed, high feed and rigid setups — treat like a hard cast iron; grinding and EDM are common for finishing, and dust must be collected (Ni/Co-free but respirable).
Can 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Effectively unweldable by fusion (binder segregation and cracking); join by silver/copper brazing, shrink fit, threading or adhesive, with EB/laser welding only for qualified special cases.
What surface finishes work on 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe?
No anodizing; parts are supplied ground, oiled, electroless-nickel or chrome plated, or epoxy-painted for humid and salt-spray environments.
Can 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape by press-and-liquid-phase-sinter at 1450–1500 °C with ~18–20 % linear shrinkage; at 97 % W only limited rotary swaging of round bar is feasible, no sheet forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe?
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe cost?
97W-2.1Ni-0.9Fe is a high-cost tungsten alloy ($$$$), 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 B777 – Standard Specification for Tungsten Base, High-Density Metal — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 – Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Tungsten Heavy Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- Tungsten heavy alloy (W-Ni-Fe) grade datasheets — Plansee / Wolfmet / Mi-Tech Metals (2023)
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.