Materials
Tungsten Heavy Alloy vs Steel: Density and Application
Tungsten heavy alloys exist for one dominant reason: density. At roughly twice the density of steel, they pack mass into a small envelope where steel simply cannot.
Side-by-side
Comparison
| Property | Tungsten heavy alloy | Steel (1018) |
|---|---|---|
| Density | ~17–18.5 g/cm³ | ~7.85 g/cm³ |
| Mass per volume | ~2.2× steel | baseline |
| Hardness / wear | High | Moderate |
| Machinability | Difficult (abrasive, tough) | Easy |
| Typical use | Counterweights, radiation shielding, ballast, vibration damping | General structural parts |
Decision guide
How to decide
- Choose tungsten heavy alloy when mass, radiation attenuation or vibration damping per unit volume is the requirement.
- Choose steel when normal structural strength and easy machining are enough and weight is not the point.
- Where a steel part is too light but space is fixed, tungsten alloy is usually the direct answer.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
No. It is a tungsten-based composite with nickel-iron or nickel-copper binders, which is what makes it machinable at all - pure tungsten is extremely brittle.
It is both abrasive and tough, so tools wear quickly. Dedicated tooling and controlled parameters are essential.
Counterweights, radiation shielding, ballast and vibration-damping masses - anywhere density solves the problem.
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