Tungsten Alloy W-25Re PM-Sintered
Finish state
UNS R05400 · ASTM B387 Grade WRe25 · also W-Re Alloy
Near-net PM stock for targets, crucibles and large blanks; lowest ductility, ~97–99 % theoretical density.
Values for the PM-Sintered condition
What is W-25Re PM-Sintered?
W-25Re PM-Sintered is W-25Re supplied in the PM-Sintered condition — near-net PM stock for targets, crucibles and large blanks; lowest ductility, ~97–99 % theoretical density. W-25Re PM-Sintered has a yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 94% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 400 GPa (58 Msi). W-25Re PM-Sintered has a density of 19.3 g/cm³ (0.697 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 3,000°C (5,432 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 45/100, better than 100% of tungsten alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 30/100, better than 98% of tungsten alloy grades
- High strength — 1,850 MPa (268 ksi), better than 94% of tungsten alloy grades
- High service temperature — 2,400°C (4,352 °F), better than 86% of tungsten alloy grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 25 MPa·√m (22.8 ksi·√in), better than 76% of tungsten alloy grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of tungsten alloy grades
- High embodied carbon — 55 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 100% of tungsten alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 5.7 % IACS, worse than 95% of tungsten alloy grades
W-25Re PM-Sintered properties
Typical room-temperature values for W-25Re PM-Sintered; 6 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are W-25Re reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among tungsten alloy grades.
Physical3
W-25Re PM-Sintered has a density of 19.3 g/cm³ (0.697 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 3,000°C (5,432 °F).
Mechanical11
W-25Re PM-Sintered has a yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 94% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 400 GPa (58 Msi).
Thermal6
W-25Re PM-Sintered is rated for continuous service to 2,400°C (4,352 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of tungsten alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 4.6 µm/m·K (2.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
W-25Re PM-Sintered conducts electricity at 5.7 % IACS, worse than 95% of tungsten alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), better than 50% of tungsten alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of W-25Re PM-Sintered takes about 750 MJ of energy and emits 55 kg of CO₂ — more than 100% of tungsten alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
W-25Re PM-Sintered's machinability is not recommended (6/100, worse than 86% of tungsten alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with W-25Re PM-Sintered
Is W-25Re easy to machine?
Treat as a grinding/EDM material — carbide or PCD tooling at low speed with rigid setups; conventional turning/milling causes chipping and rapid tool wear, so near-net PM or wire-EDM is preferred.
Can W-25Re be welded?
Rhenium ductilizes the weld, so GTAW/EB/laser and resistance butt welding in high-purity argon or vacuum are practical; keep oxygen/carbon pickup to a minimum and avoid post-weld cold bending of coarse-grained welds.
Can W-25Re be formed, bent or molded?
Cold drawing of fine wire is possible; sheet and rod should be warm-worked at 300–1200 °C, and bend radii below ~5t in the cold-worked condition risk cracking.
What surface finishes work on W-25Re?
Electropolishing or chemical cleaning in alkaline/peroxide solutions gives bright surfaces; for air service above ~500 °C a silicide, iridium or CVD coating is mandatory, otherwise use vacuum/inert atmospheres.
W-25Re 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Resolid-solution ductilizer; nominal 25 wt% | 24 – 26 | 25 |
| Cmax, typical high-purity wire | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| O | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| W | balance |
W-25Re PM-Sintered — frequently asked
What is W-25Re PM-Sintered used for?
W-25Re PM-Sintered is typically used for type C/D thermocouple wire, high-temperature furnace parts, electron tube components and aerospace nozzle inserts. In short: ductile tungsten alloy; type C thermocouple standard; service to 2400 °C.
What is the yield strength of W-25Re PM-Sintered?
W-25Re PM-Sintered has a typical yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 94% of tungsten alloy grades.
Is W-25Re PM-Sintered easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (6/100, worse than 86% of tungsten alloy grades). Treat as a grinding/EDM material — carbide or PCD tooling at low speed with rigid setups; conventional turning/milling causes chipping and rapid tool wear, so near-net PM or wire-EDM is preferred.
Can W-25Re PM-Sintered be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Rhenium ductilizes the weld, so GTAW/EB/laser and resistance butt welding in high-purity argon or vacuum are practical; keep oxygen/carbon pickup to a minimum and avoid post-weld cold bending of coarse-grained welds.
What surface finishes work on W-25Re PM-Sintered?
Electropolishing or chemical cleaning in alkaline/peroxide solutions gives bright surfaces; for air service above ~500 °C a silicide, iridium or CVD coating is mandatory, otherwise use vacuum/inert atmospheres.
Can W-25Re PM-Sintered be formed, bent or molded?
Cold drawing of fine wire is possible; sheet and rod should be warm-worked at 300–1200 °C, and bend radii below ~5t in the cold-worked condition risk cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of W-25Re PM-Sintered?
W-25Re PM-Sintered is rated for continuous use to about 2,400°C (4,352 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM B760 — Tungsten Plate, Sheet and Foil — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B387 — Molybdenum and Molybdenum Alloy Bar, Rod and Wire (analogous refractory-metal product forms) — ASTM International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Refractory Metals) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 3 — Alloy Phase Diagrams (W–Re system) — ASM International (1992)
- Tungsten–Rhenium Alloy Wire and Thermocouple Data — Rhenium Alloys, Inc. / Plansee (2023)
- ASTM E230 / IEC 60584 thermocouple reference data (Type C/D W-Re pairs) — ASTM / IEC (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.