Tungsten Alloy WHA-95 NiCu
Grade
NiCu = 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.
Values for the NiCu condition
Other WHA-95 tempers and conditions
WHA-95 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at WHA-95.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NiCuThis page 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 NiCu?
WHA-95 NiCu is WHA-95 in the NiCu grade — 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. WHA-95 NiCu has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 89% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 350 GPa (50.8 Msi). WHA-95 NiCu has a density of 18 g/cm³ (0.65 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). Sintered is the default condition FabDigit quotes; NiCu is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 30/100, better than 86% of tungsten alloy grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 81% of tungsten alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 98% of tungsten alloy grades
- Low strength — 550 MPa (79.8 ksi), worse than 89% of tungsten alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 350 GPa (50.8 Msi), worse than 86% of tungsten alloy grades
WHA-95 NiCu properties
Typical room-temperature values for WHA-95 NiCu; 24 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are WHA-95 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among tungsten alloy grades.
Physical2
WHA-95 NiCu has a density of 18 g/cm³ (0.65 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical16
WHA-95 NiCu has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 89% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 350 GPa (50.8 Msi).
Thermal5
WHA-95 NiCu is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 105 W/m·K (60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 57% of tungsten alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 5 µm/m·K (2.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WHA-95 NiCu conducts electricity at 19 % IACS, worse than 57% of tungsten alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 69% of tungsten alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WHA-95 NiCu 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 NiCu's machinability is poor (30/100, better than 86% of tungsten alloy grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (4/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with WHA-95 NiCu
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.
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.
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 |
WHA-95 NiCu — frequently asked
What is WHA-95 NiCu used for?
WHA-95 NiCu 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 NiCu?
WHA-95 NiCu has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 89% of tungsten alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is WHA-95 NiCu easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, better than 86% 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 NiCu be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). 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 NiCu?
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 NiCu 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 NiCu?
WHA-95 NiCu is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.