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INTERNATIONAL TUNGSTEN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Information on tungsten: sources, properties and uses

Tungsten Heavy Metal Alloys

These are a group of two-phase composites, based on W-Ni-Fe or W-Ni-Cu, prepared by liquid phase sintering. Tungsten is the main component (90-98%).  Ni-Fe, Co-Ni or Ni-Cu serves as the ductile binder phase for the brittle W grains.  These alloys are characterised by a unique combination of high density (17-19 g/cm³), high strength and ductility.  They are used as counterweights in aeroplanes, helicopter-blades, rotating inertia members, x-ray and gamma ray radiation shielding, as rigid tools for machining, for darts, for weights in golf club heads, as well as for ordnance purposes (high kinetic energy penetrators, fragmentation devices, etc).