A tungsten alloy is a combination of tungsten and other metals, such as iron, nickel, or copper, that creates a material with improved properties over pure tungsten. Tungsten is a naturally occurring metal with a high melting point and tensile strength, but it is also brittle. Alloying tungsten with other metals makes it stronger, more resistant to corrosion, and more versatile.
Tungsten alloys are used in a variety of industries, including:
- Aviation: Tungsten alloys are used in jet turbine blades and rocket engine nozzles.
- Medical technology: Tungsten alloys are used in x-ray cancer therapy machines and gamma radiation measuring devices.
- Military: Tungsten alloys are used in a variety of military applications.
- Homeland security: Tungsten alloys are used in large container inspection devices and airport security X-ray devices.
Some types of tungsten alloys include:
- Abkolloy family of titanium–tungsten alloys
These alloys are strong, ductile, and hard, and are being considered for use in aerospace, industrial, defense, and medical device markets.
- Tungsten-nickel-copper
This alloy is non-magnetic, making it useful in oncology systems and for shielding electrical sensors.
Tungsten alloys are heavy alloys that are made by combining tungsten with other metals, such as iron, nickel, or copper. They are used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and military:
- Density
Tungsten alloys have a high density, comparable to gold or platinum. This makes them useful for absorbing radiation and as a more environmentally friendly alternative to lead.
- Strength
Tungsten alloys are strong and resistant to breakage and chipping.
- Non-magnetic
Tungsten alloys can be made non-magnetic by using copper as a binder. This property is useful in oncology systems and for shielding electrical sensors.
- Applications
Tungsten alloys are used to make jet turbine blades, rocket engine nozzles, bulletproof shells, and more. They are also used in medical technology to focus and protect from ionizing radiation in x-ray machines.
Some types of tungsten alloys include:
- Tungsten heavy alloys (WHAs)
These alloys have a Ni-Fe or Ni-Cu matrix and are commonly used in aerospace, automotive, medical engineering, and construction.