Tungsten Alloy WHA-95
WHA-95 is a liquid-phase-sintered tungsten heavy alloy with 95 wt% tungsten in a Ni-Cu or Ni-Fe binder, density 18.05 g/cm³ (typically 18.0-18.1).
Reference datasheet — WHA-95 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-95 tempers and conditions
WHA-95 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. Sintered is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W-Ni-Cu matrix | Specify the W-Ni-Cu matrix when the part must be fully non-magnetic, as in gyroscopes, magnetically sensitive instruments and medical shielding, accepting 700 MPa tensile and only 3 % elongation. | 550 | 700 | 3 | 28 HRC | 19 % IACS |
SinteredDefault as liquid-phase sintered (standard commercial condition) | Use the as-liquid-phase-sintered standard supply condition for counterweights, shielding and general machined parts at 820 MPa tensile and 6 % elongation; lowest cost, some residual porosity. | 610 | 820 | 6 | 30 HRC | 95 W/m·K |
Vacuum/hydrogen heat treated and quenched | Pick vacuum or hydrogen treatment at 1000–1150 °C with rapid cooling for precision parts needing 14 % elongation and dimensional stability; it dissolves brittle interface phases and removes hydrogen. | 620 | 870 | 14 | 29 HRC | 15 % IACS |
Hot isostatic pressed | Choose hot isostatic pressing after sintering when loaded, rotating or NDT-critical parts need residual pores closed: elongation doubles to 12 % and tensile strength rises to 900 MPa. | 640 | 900 | 12 | 31 HRC | 15 % IACS |
Swaged / cold worked | Choose rotary-swaged or drawn bar when 1200 MPa tensile and 40 HRC are needed for penetrator cores and high-stiffness rods; cold deformation cuts elongation to 4 %. | 1,050 | 1,200 | 4 | 40 HRC | 14 % IACS |
What is WHA-95?
WHA-95 is a liquid-phase-sintered tungsten heavy alloy with 95 wt% tungsten in a Ni-Cu or Ni-Fe binder, density 18.05 g/cm³ (typically 18.0-18.1). It gives near-tungsten density with usable machinability and some ductility - 610 MPa yield, 820 MPa tensile, 6 % elongation, 30 HRC, 95 W/m·K - and is supplied as sintered, HIPed or swaged bar, plate and near-net blanks. Ductility and fracture toughness are below 90 %W grades, particularly with a Ni-Cu matrix; it cannot be forged to shape, is not practically fusion weldable, and the binder rusts in humid air, so nickel plating is usual. Use a 90 %W grade where impact toughness governs. WHA-95 has a density of 18.05 g/cm³ (0.652 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). WHA-95 has a yield strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — weaker than 72% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 360 GPa (52.2 Msi).
What is WHA-95 used for?
- Counterweights and balance weights
- Radiation shielding
- Gyroscope rotors
- Vibration-damping boring bars
- Kinetic-energy penetrator cores
- Aircraft trim weights
- Golf club and sports weights
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 48 MPa·√m (43.7 ksi·√in), better than 95% of tungsten alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 6%, better than 90% of tungsten alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 25/100, better than 79% of tungsten alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 86% of tungsten alloy grades
WHA-95 properties
Typical room-temperature values for WHA-95-Sintered; bars are the position among tungsten alloy grades.
Physical2
WHA-95 has a density of 18.05 g/cm³ (0.652 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical16
WHA-95 has a yield strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — weaker than 72% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 360 GPa (52.2 Msi).
Thermal5
WHA-95 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 95 W/m·K (54.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 71% of tungsten alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 5 µm/m·K (2.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WHA-95 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-95 takes about 400 MJ of energy and emits 27 kg of CO₂ — more than 74% of tungsten alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
WHA-95'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-95 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with WHA-95
Is WHA-95 easy to machine?
Turn, mill and grind with carbide or CBN tooling at low speed with heavier feed and rigid clamping; chips break up as abrasive powder and wear tools quickly. Produce deep holes and threads by grinding or EDM where possible.
Can WHA-95 be welded?
Fusion welding forms brittle intermetallics in the binder and cracks. Join by vacuum brazing with silver- or copper-based filler, by threads, or by interference and heat-shrink fits.
Can WHA-95 be formed, bent or molded?
Pressed from W plus Ni-Fe(Cu) powder and liquid-phase sintered to near net shape. Only bar stock takes light rotary swaging; room-temperature bending is effectively impossible.
WHA-95 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 3 nominal tungsten content | 94 – 96 | 95 |
| Nimain binder-phase element | 2.5 – 4.2 | 3.5 |
| FeW-Ni-Fe matrix (Ni:Fe about 7:3) | 0.7 – 2 | 1.5 |
| Cureplaces Fe in non-magnetic W-Ni-Cu grades | 0.7 – 2 | 1.5 |
| Cosmall addition in some grades to raise strength | 0 – 1.5 | 0 |
| Ni+Fe(Cu)+balance is binder phase and impurities, each impurity ≤0.05 | balance |
What surface finishes work on WHA-95?
Grinds and polishes to a mirror finish. Corrosion protection is normally 3-15 µm electrolytic or electroless nickel, or sprayed epoxy or Dacromet; it cannot be anodized.
How much does WHA-95 cost?
WHA-95 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-95 — frequently asked
What is WHA-95 used for?
WHA-95 is typically used for counterweights and balance weights, radiation shielding, gyroscope rotors, vibration-damping boring bars, kinetic-energy penetrator cores and aircraft trim weights. In short: premium heavy-metal tungsten.
What is the yield strength of WHA-95?
WHA-95 has a typical yield strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — weaker than 72% of tungsten alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is WHA-95 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, better than 79% of tungsten alloy grades). Turn, mill and grind with carbide or CBN tooling at low speed with heavier feed and rigid clamping; chips break up as abrasive powder and wear tools quickly. Produce deep holes and threads by grinding or EDM where possible.
Can WHA-95 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Fusion welding forms brittle intermetallics in the binder and cracks. Join by vacuum brazing with silver- or copper-based filler, by threads, or by interference and heat-shrink fits.
What surface finishes work on WHA-95?
Grinds and polishes to a mirror finish. Corrosion protection is normally 3-15 µm electrolytic or electroless nickel, or sprayed epoxy or Dacromet; it cannot be anodized.
Can WHA-95 be formed, bent or molded?
Pressed from W plus Ni-Fe(Cu) powder and liquid-phase sintered to near net shape. Only bar stock takes light rotary swaging; room-temperature bending is effectively impossible.
What is the maximum service temperature of WHA-95?
WHA-95 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-95 Sintered and WHA-95 Swaged?
Sintered is the default condition — use the as-liquid-phase-sintered standard supply condition for counterweights, shielding and general machined parts at 820 MPa tensile and 6 % elongation; lowest cost, some residual porosity. Swaged: choose rotary-swaged or drawn bar when 1200 MPa tensile and 40 HRC are needed for penetrator cores and high-stiffness rods; cold deformation cuts elongation to 4 %. Yield strength is 610 MPa in Sintered versus 1,050 MPa in Swaged.
How much does WHA-95 cost?
WHA-95 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)
- DENSIMET / INERMET tungsten heavy alloy datasheets — Plansee (2023)
- Wolfmet tungsten alloy grade data — M&I Materials (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 7: Powder Metallurgy — Tungsten Heavy Alloys — ASM International (2015)
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.