Tungsten Alloy WHA-90
WHA-90 is a liquid-phase-sintered tungsten heavy alloy containing about 90 wt% tungsten grains embedded in a ductile Ni-Fe matrix, giving ~17 g/cm³ density with usable ductility and machinability that pure tungsten lacks.
Reference datasheet — WHA-90 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 Sintered condition
WHA-90 tempers and conditions
WHA-90 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. Sintered 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sintered + vacuum/hydrogen-free heat treated | Choose when ductility and impact energy must be restored by removing sintering hydrogen and residual stress, e.g. thin-web machined parts and threaded components. | 610 | 920 | 20 | 25 HRC | 15 % IACS |
SinteredDefault as liquid-phase sintered (default) | Standard stocked condition for counterweights, shielding and general machined parts where ASTM B777 Class 1 minimums suffice. | 620 | 900 | 10 | 26 HRC | — |
Hot isostatic pressed | Pick when residual porosity must be closed for maximum ductility, toughness and reliable ultrasonic/radiographic acceptance (aerospace balance weights, penetrators). | 650 | 960 | 22 | 27 HRC | — |
Swaged / cold worked | Use for high-strength small-diameter rod and penetrator cores where strength and hardness matter more than elongation. | 1,050 | 1,250 | 5 | 38 HRC | — |
What is WHA-90?
WHA-90 is a liquid-phase-sintered tungsten heavy alloy containing about 90 wt% tungsten grains embedded in a ductile Ni-Fe matrix, giving ~17 g/cm³ density with usable ductility and machinability that pure tungsten lacks. It is chosen where mass, radiation shielding or stiffness must be packed into a small envelope — balance weights, gyro rotors, crankshaft counterweights, collimators, kinetic penetrators and vibration-damping tool bodies. Limits are cost, the Ni-Fe binder that caps useful structural service near 500 °C, weak weldability, slight magnetic response, and sensitivity to hydrogen embrittlement if not vacuum heat treated after sintering. WHA-90 has a density of 17 g/cm³ (0.614 lb/in³), lighter than 74% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). WHA-90 has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — weaker than 67% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 350 GPa (50.8 Msi).
What is WHA-90 used for?
- Counterweights
- Vibration dampers
- Aerospace ballast
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 70 MPa·√m (63.7 ksi·√in), better than 100% of tungsten alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 10%, better than 95% of tungsten alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 25/100, better than 79% of tungsten alloy grades
- Low embodied carbon — 22 kg CO₂/kg, better than 79% of tungsten alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 350 GPa (50.8 Msi), worse than 86% of tungsten alloy grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 86% of tungsten alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 90 W/m·K (52 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 81% of tungsten alloy grades
WHA-90 properties
Typical room-temperature values for WHA-90-Sintered; bars are the position among tungsten alloy grades.
Physical2
WHA-90 has a density of 17 g/cm³ (0.614 lb/in³), lighter than 74% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical16
WHA-90 has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — weaker than 67% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 350 GPa (50.8 Msi).
Thermal4
WHA-90 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 90 W/m·K (52 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 81% of tungsten alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 5.1 µm/m·K (2.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WHA-90 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 WHA-90 takes about 320 MJ of energy and emits 22 kg of CO₂ — less than 81% of tungsten alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
WHA-90's machinability is poor (25/100, better than 79% of tungsten alloy grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
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. WHA-90 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with WHA-90
Is WHA-90 easy to machine?
Machine like a hard, abrasive cast iron: rigid setup, negative-rake carbide or CBN, low speed (30–60 m/min) with heavy feed, generous coolant; grinding and EDM work well and are preferred for finish tolerances.
Can WHA-90 be welded?
Effectively non-weldable by fusion arc — the W skeleton melts far above the binder and cracks; join by brazing (Ag-Cu, Ni-based fillers), shrink fit, threading or mechanical fastening, with EB/laser only for shallow non-structural seams.
Can WHA-90 be formed, bent or molded?
No practical cold sheet forming; parts are pressed and liquid-phase sintered to near-net shape, with rotary swaging or light forging of rod for strength when needed.
WHA-90 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 1 nominal 90 wt% tungsten | 89 – 91 | 90 |
| Nimatrix former, typical Ni:Fe ≈ 7:3 | 6 – 7.6 | 7 |
| Cooptional binder addition in some producer variants | ≤ 1 | |
| Other (C, O, Mo, Cu)total impurities/trace additions | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Febalance of Ni-Fe binder | ≥ 2.4 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on WHA-90?
Not anodizable; grinding and lapping give mirror finishes, and electroless nickel, chrome plating or epoxy paint is used for corrosion and handling protection.
How much does WHA-90 cost?
WHA-90 is a specialty-cost tungsten alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% 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.
WHA-90 — frequently asked
What is WHA-90 used for?
WHA-90 is typically used for counterweights, vibration dampers and aerospace ballast. In short: workhorse heavy-metal tungsten.
What is the yield strength of WHA-90?
WHA-90 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — weaker than 67% of tungsten alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is WHA-90 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, better than 79% of tungsten alloy grades). Machine like a hard, abrasive cast iron: rigid setup, negative-rake carbide or CBN, low speed (30–60 m/min) with heavy feed, generous coolant; grinding and EDM work well and are preferred for finish tolerances.
Can WHA-90 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Effectively non-weldable by fusion arc — the W skeleton melts far above the binder and cracks; join by brazing (Ag-Cu, Ni-based fillers), shrink fit, threading or mechanical fastening, with EB/laser only for shallow non-structural seams.
What surface finishes work on WHA-90?
Not anodizable; grinding and lapping give mirror finishes, and electroless nickel, chrome plating or epoxy paint is used for corrosion and handling protection.
Can WHA-90 be formed, bent or molded?
No practical cold sheet forming; parts are pressed and liquid-phase sintered to near-net shape, with rotary swaging or light forging of rod for strength when needed.
What is the maximum service temperature of WHA-90?
WHA-90 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.
What is the difference between WHA-90 Sintered and WHA-90 Swaged?
Sintered is the default condition — standard stocked condition for counterweights, shielding and general machined parts where ASTM B777 Class 1 minimums suffice. Swaged: use for high-strength small-diameter rod and penetrator cores where strength and hardness matter more than elongation. Yield strength is 620 MPa in Sintered versus 1,050 MPa in Swaged.
How much does WHA-90 cost?
WHA-90 is a specialty-cost tungsten alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% 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)
- AMS-T-21014 Tungsten Base, High Density Metal — SAE International (2018)
- Densimet / Inermet tungsten heavy alloy datasheets — Plansee (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Refractory Metals and Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.