Tungsten-nickel alloy
Tungsten-Nickel alloy is a combination of two metals that provide a wide range of benefits for various applications. The alloy consists of two metals, tungsten and nickel, which when combined offer properties such as improved resistance to wear and erosion, low coefficient of friction, excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, and hardness. Tungsten-Nickel alloy, particularly in tungsten loaded alloys, are superior to other materials when used in applications that require wear and erosion resistant material, such as turbine blades and other components used in high-temperature environments.
The tungsten element is a naturally occurring greyish-white lustrous metal with a very high melting point of 3422°C, making it one of the most heat-resistant metals. The high melting point of tungsten makes it ideal for use in high-temperature structural parts, including turbine blades, and many other components for aerospace or industrial applications. Tungsten’s high hardness, coupled with its low coefficient of friction, makes it an ideal material for use in high-wear applications.
Tungsten also has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and is resistant to oxidation, making it ideal for use in electrical components, such as contactors, electrodes, and high-temperature wiring.
When combined with nickel, tungsten produces an alloy with properties far superior to those of the individual metals. Nickel, like tungsten, is a greyish-white lustrous metal and is a very hard metal. It is corrosion resistant, ductile, and has very good electrical and thermal conductivity. The alloying of nickel with tungsten increases the properties of the alloy to include excellent wear resistance, strength, and hardness, while reducing its tendency to oxidize under high-temperature applications.
The most common type of tungsten-nickel alloy used for various applications is Tungsten-Nickel-Iron, which consists of approximately 50% nickel, 30% tungsten and 20% iron. This alloy offers superior wear resistance, low coefficient of friction, strength, corrosion resistance and other desirable properties that make it ideal for use in many aerospace and industrial applications, including turbine blades, rocket components, and high-temperature electric contacts.
Tungsten-nickel alloys are also used in medical applications such as implants and dental prostheses. It is also used in sparkplug electrodes and as an imaging material in x-rays.
In conclusion, Tungsten-nickel alloy is a combination of two metals that provide a wide range of benefits for various applications, ranging from aerospace and industrial to medical. The alloy allows for excellent wear resistance, strength, and thermal and electrical conductivity, while also having a low coefficient of friction. In addition, the alloying of nickel with tungsten makes it much less prone to oxidation under high-temperature applications. Ultimately, Tungsten-nickel alloy is a versatile material with many potential applications, and one that should be when considering different metal alloys.
