Tungsten powder is the foundational raw material for virtually all tungsten products and tungsten-based alloys. Because tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals (3422 °C), it is processed almost exclusively via powder metallurgy, making powder purity, particle size, and morphology critical to final performance.
What Is Tungsten Powder?
Tungsten powder consists of finely divided metallic tungsten particles produced with controlled purity, particle size distribution, and surface morphology. It is the starting feedstock for pure tungsten components, heavy alloys, cemented carbides, and additive manufacturing powders.
Chemical Composition
| Element | Typical Content (wt%) |
|---|---|
| Tungsten (W) | 99.5 – 99.99 |
| Oxygen (O) | ≤ 0.01 – 0.03 |
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.005 |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤ 0.01 |
| Fe / Ni / Mo | Trace |
Key Physical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Grey to black metallic powder |
| Theoretical density | 19.25 g/cm³ |
| Apparent density | 1.5 – 7.0 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 3422 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 170 – 180 W/m·K |
| Electrical resistivity | 5.6 µΩ·cm |
| Crystal structure | BCC |
| Specific surface area | 0.3 – 3 m²/g |
Mechanical Properties (After Consolidation)
| Property | Sintered Tungsten |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 400 – 1000 MPa |
| Yield strength | 350 – 800 MPa |
| Elastic modulus | ~410 GPa |
| Hardness | 350 – 500 HV |
| Ductility | Low at RT, improves > 400 °C |
| Creep resistance | Excellent |
Strengthening & Metallurgical Behavior
• Grain refinement during sintering
• Dispersion strengthening (La₂O₃-, ThO₂-doped tungsten)
• Solid-solution strengthening (minor alloying)
• Stable BCC lattice up to melting point
• Ductile-to-brittle transition temperature ~200–400 °C
Key Characteristics
✔ Highest melting point of all metals
✔ Very high density
✔ Excellent high-temperature strength retention
✔ Low vapor pressure at elevated temperature
✔ Excellent radiation resistance
Production & Processing
Hydrogen reduction of tungsten oxides (WO₃)
Ammonium paratungstate (APT) decomposition
Carbon reduction for carbide feedstock
Plasma or gas atomization for AM powders
Vacuum or hydrogen sintering, HIP processing
Available Forms
Fine powders (< 1 µm)
Medium powders (1 – 10 µm)
Coarse powders (> 10 µm)
Spherical AM-grade powders
Pre-alloyed and granulated powders
Applications
Powder Metallurgy
Pure tungsten parts, furnace components
Tungsten Heavy Alloys
Radiation shielding, counterweights, kinetic penetrators
Cemented Carbides
Cutting tools, mining and drilling inserts
Electronics & Energy
Filaments, X-ray targets, heating elements
Additive Manufacturing
Aerospace and defense components
Advantages
✔ Enables fabrication of the highest-melting metal
✔ Excellent sintering behavior
✔ Superior creep resistance
✔ High density for shielding applications
✔ Versatile feedstock for alloys and composites
Limitations & Safety
❌ Brittle behavior at room temperature
❌ Oxidation risk at elevated temperatures
❌ Difficult machining after consolidation
❌ Fine powder inhalation hazards
❌ Higher cost than common metals
Why Choose Tungsten Powder?
Choose tungsten powder when operating temperatures exceed 1500–2000 °C, exceptional creep resistance is required, high density and radiation shielding are needed, or powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing routes are preferred.