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Tungsten Alloy WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR (Stress relieved)

Heat-treated state

ASTM F288 · also AKS Tungsten

Wire annealed ~1000–1400 °C in hydrogen to relieve drawing stresses and give straight, spring-free wire for probes, supports and precision heaters.

High cost $$$$

Values for the SR condition

Other WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) tempers and conditions

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten).

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Recrystallised
Condition after flashing/service above ~2000 °C: long interlocked grains give the sag resistance the doping is designed for, but the wire is brittle at room temperature.600700136 HRC32.5 % IACS
Swaged / ground rod
Larger diameters produced by rotary swaging and ground to size — for electrodes, furnace hooks, supports and evaporation sources needing sag resistance.1,0001,200243 HRC32 % IACS
SRThis page
Stress relieved
Wire annealed ~1000–1400 °C in hydrogen to relieve drawing stresses and give straight, spring-free wire for probes, supports and precision heaters.1,4001,7503.543 HRC32 % IACS
AD-CLDefault
As-drawn, cleaned (bright) wire
Standard stock condition: cold-drawn doped wire with the graphite drawing lubricant chemically/electrolytically removed — for filament coiling, heaters and probe wire.1,9002,2002.548 HRC31 % IACS
As-drawn, black (graphite-coated) wire
Cheapest form — drawing graphite left on the surface; pick it when the wire will be cleaned, coiled and hydrogen-fired by the user.1,9002,2002.548 HRC31 % IACS

What is WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR?

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR is WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) heat treated to SR — wire annealed ~1000–1400 °C in hydrogen to relieve drawing stresses and give straight, spring-free wire for probes, supports and precision heaters. WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR has a yield strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 89% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 400 GPa (58 Msi). WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR has a density of 19.3 g/cm³ (0.697 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 3,422°C (6,192 °F). AD-CL is the default condition FabDigit quotes; SR is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Forms and bends easily — 30/100, better than 98% of tungsten alloy grades
  • High strength — 1,400 MPa (203 ksi), better than 89% of tungsten alloy grades
  • High service temperature — 2,200°C (3,992 °F), better than 81% of tungsten alloy grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 3.5%, better than 80% of tungsten alloy grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 22 kg CO₂/kg, better than 79% of tungsten alloy grades

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 98% of tungsten alloy grades

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR properties

Typical room-temperature values for WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among tungsten alloy grades.

Physical3

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR has a density of 19.3 g/cm³ (0.697 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 3,422°C (6,192 °F).

Density19.3 g/cm³0.7 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)3,422°C6,192 °F
Liquidus Temperature3,422°C6,192 °F

Mechanical16

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR has a yield strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 89% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 400 GPa (58 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus400 GPa58 Msi
Shear Modulus156 GPa22.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus310 GPa45 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.28
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,750 MPa254 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,400 MPa203 ksi
Elongation at Break3.5%
Reduction in Area20%
Compressive Strength1,600 MPa232 ksi
Shear Strength1,050 MPa152 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)700 MPa102 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)12 MPa·√m10.9 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)2 J1.5 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell400 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C43 HRC
Hardness, Vickers430 HV

Thermal6

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR is rated for continuous service to 2,200°C (3,992 °F). It conducts heat at 170 W/m·K (98.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of tungsten alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 4.5 µm/m·K (2.5 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity170 W/m·K98.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity132 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)4.5 µm/m·K2.5 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion192 J/g82.5 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)2,200°C3,992 °F
Min Service Temperature20°C68 °F

Electrical3

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, better than 95% of tungsten alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity32 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity5.4×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.13 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic (paramagnetic, χ ≈ +7×10⁻⁵)

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), better than 50% of tungsten alloy grades.

Corrosion ResistanceGood60/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryResists most mineral acids and molten glass at RT; attacked by HF/HNO₃ mixtures, alkaline oxidising melts, H₂O₂ and fluorine; oxidises rapidly in air above ~400 °C forming volatile WO₃; reacts with water vapour in the water cycle inside lamps.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR takes about 380 MJ of energy and emits 22 kg of CO₂ — less than 62% of tungsten alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)380 MJ/kg163,371 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)22 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR's machinability is not recommended (12/100, better than 67% of tungsten alloy grades); weldability poor (18/100); formability poor (30/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended12/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)8%
WeldabilityPoor18/100
Formability (cold)Poor30/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood60/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — tungsten is not anodised; surfaces are cleaned electrolytically or coated (Ni, Cu, Au) for joining

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR

Is WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) easy to machine?

Effectively unmachinable by conventional turning; use wire/sinker EDM, grinding with diamond or resin-bonded SiC, and abrasive or laser cutting — never shear recrystallised wire cold.

Can WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) be welded?

Fusion welding embrittles by recrystallisation and gas pickup; join by resistance/spot welding, laser microwelding, or braze with Ni, Cu-Ag or Zr-active fillers in vacuum/hydrogen.

Can WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) be formed, bent or molded?

Fine wire can be coiled at room temperature; larger diameters and tight-pitch coils must be warm-formed at 300–800 °C over a Mo mandrel that is later dissolved in acid.

What surface finishes work on WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)?

Supplied black (graphite) or electrolytically cleaned bright; hydrogen firing removes carbon, and Ni/Cu/Au plating is used to aid soldering — no anodising, protect from air above ~400 °C.

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Kretained potassium from K–Si–Al doping, 50–100 ppm; the bubble-forming dopant0.010.01
Siresidual from potassium silicate dopant2×10⁻⁴ – 08×10⁻⁴
Alresidual from aluminium chloride dopant2×10⁻⁴ – 00
Motypical impurity limit≤ 0.01—
Fe≤ 0—
O≤ 0.01—
C≤ 0—
W≥99.95 % excluding dopants, per ASTM F288 / GB/T 4181balance—

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR — frequently asked

What is WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR used for?

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR is typically used for incandescent lamp filaments, vacuum tube heaters, halogen lamp coils and resistance heating wire. In short: non-sag doped tungsten wire; standard filament coil wire; highest strength in family.

What is the yield strength of WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR?

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR has a typical yield strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 89% of tungsten alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, better than 67% of tungsten alloy grades). Effectively unmachinable by conventional turning; use wire/sinker EDM, grinding with diamond or resin-bonded SiC, and abrasive or laser cutting — never shear recrystallised wire cold.

Can WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (18/100). Fusion welding embrittles by recrystallisation and gas pickup; join by resistance/spot welding, laser microwelding, or braze with Ni, Cu-Ag or Zr-active fillers in vacuum/hydrogen.

What surface finishes work on WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR?

Supplied black (graphite) or electrolytically cleaned bright; hydrogen firing removes carbon, and Ni/Cu/Au plating is used to aid soldering — no anodising, protect from air above ~400 °C.

Can WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR be formed, bent or molded?

Fine wire can be coiled at room temperature; larger diameters and tight-pitch coils must be warm-formed at 300–800 °C over a Mo mandrel that is later dissolved in acid.

What is the maximum service temperature of WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR?

WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-SR is rated for continuous use to about 2,200°C (3,992 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten) AD-CL and WVMA (Doped Non-Sag Tungsten)-RX?

AD-CL is the default condition — standard stock condition: cold-drawn doped wire with the graphite drawing lubricant chemically/electrolytically removed — for filament coiling, heaters and probe wire. RX: condition after flashing/service above ~2000 °C: long interlocked grains give the sag resistance the doping is designed for, but the wire is brittle at room temperature. Yield strength is 1,900 MPa in AD-CL versus 600 MPa in RX.

Sources

  1. ASTM F288 — Standard Specification for Tungsten Wire for Electron Devices and Lamps — ASTM International (2018)
  2. GB/T 4181 — (Tungsten wire) (2017)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Refractory Metals) — ASM International (1990)
  4. Doped (non-sag) tungsten wire and filament data — Plansee / Osram Sylvania / (2023)
  5. Refractory metal property and eco-property data — Granta/CES-type materials database (2022)

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.