Tungsten rods are pre-formed pieces of tungsten that are machined or ground into components and goods. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Leading Edge Metals & Alloys, Inc.
Torrance, CA | 877-455-5362Leading Edge Metals & Alloys offers tungsten products to a number of industries, including aerospace, electronics, magnetic shielding, and medical. We are leading experts in our field and we go out of our way to make sure our customers receive only the very best.
Mi-Tech Tungsten Metals, LLC
Indianapolis, IN | 800-624-1895Our quality tungsten-based metals such as our alloys and composites are the focus of our specialties, and have been for 30 years. Mi-Tech provides tungsten supplies such as tungsten bar, tungsten metal alloys, tungsten metal composites, and tungsten powder of the highest quality. We are a main supplier to electrical device rebuilders & to OEMs. We stock most commonly used sizes & materials.
Metal Associates
Pompton Plains, NJ | 800-838-1978Our company offers a diverse selection of tungsten items. We have highly trained and competent engineers who can successfully create you a metal solution regardless of how big or small. The expertise of our staff is unmatched.
Metalmen Sales Inc.
Long Island City, NY | 800-767-9494Metalmen provides worldwide distribution of all stainless steel. With our wide range of products, we offer expert market advice and complete metalworking as a custom response supplier serving industry.
Types Of Tungsten Rods
Tungsten Heavy Alloy Rod (WNiFe/WNiCu Rod)
The liquid-phase sintering process creates a tungsten heavy (also known as "high density") alloy rod. This rod is 85-99% pure tungsten. In addition to its extremely high density (16.5g/cc to 19.0g/cc), tungsten heavy alloy rod is coveted for its superior strength, less thermal expansion, and easier machinability than pure tungsten rod.
Tungsten Copper Rod (W Cu Rod)
Tungsten copper rods have excellent conductivity and resistance to electrical erosion. While the infiltrated copper has a special cooling effect, when working temperatures reach as high as 2000°C, the rod relies on the tungsten skeleton structure to give it strength. A tungsten copper rod is produced using the infiltration sintering process in a fractional range of W Cu 50/50 to W Cu 90/10. Due to their unique variances in melting point, density, and numerous other physical characteristics, tungsten and copper cannot be combined. Different metal component ratios will create specific physical and mechanical qualities.
Lanthanated Tungsten Rod (W La Rod)
The dispersion strengthening method dopes lanthanum oxide into pure tungsten to create a lanthanide tungsten rod. The lanthanum oxides improve the alloy's heat resistance, conductivity, and crystallization temperature beyond a pure tungsten rod. As a result, the lanthanide tungsten rod is the recommended electrode material in both DC and AC welding operations. A lanthanide tungsten rod has excellent arc stability at low amperages, a minimal burn rate in high amperage conditions, good current carrying capability, little spark erosion, and poses no radioactive risks.
Tungsten Rods Manufacturing Process
Raw material
The mineral that contains tungsten is called Sheelite or wolframite. Ammonium-Para Tungsten is the initial raw material used in the manufacturing process. The initial part of the process, known as the "Wet" process, entails a series of precipitations, separations, and dissolutions.
Reduction
The APT is heat reduced in hydrogen to produce pure tungsten powder (W). The grain size of the tungsten power can be changed between 1 and 20 um by altering the reduction process.
Carburization
Carbon and tungsten are combined in the correct ratios. Then, high-temperature hydrogen is used to heat the mixture while tungsten carbide powder forms (WC).
Ingredient Weigh-In
Various WC powders and binder Cobalt (Co) powder are considered for cemented carbide production. The mixture is wet milled after the WC, Co, and other additives have been weighed in according to the specified composition and quality of cemented carbide.
Milling
Milling affects both the slurry and the carbide grain's homogeneity. Therefore, milling is crucial for producing uniform cemented carbide after sintering.
Spray-drying
The slurry must be dried after milling, perhaps by spray-drying it into powder form. The components of this "Ready-To-Press" (RTP) powder are gathered into spherical agglomerates.
Blending test
The RTP-composition powder's and pressing characteristics are crucial for the subsequent process. First, the RTP-size powders and form are measured. Additionally, the powder must flow well to fill press tool cavities consistently.
Compaction
RTP powder is first pressed into compacts when cemented carbide production ramps up.
Soft Machining
Before sintering, the compacts may occasionally be softly machined or green-shaped into the appropriate shape.
Sintering
The cemented carbide receives its characteristics as a high-strength engineering material during the last process step of sintering. The sintering procedure is carried out at such a high temperature to allow the molten binder and WC to unite. High isostatic gas pressure could be used during or without the sintering (HIP).
Machining
The compact has shrunk by approximately 50% volume after the sintering. After sintering, several CC blanks are prepared for delivery. To create finished tools, blanks are machined using various techniques, such as EDM, turning, drilling, and grinding.
Quality Control
Before shipment, the cemented carbide pieces are subjected to quality control; dimensions, shape, and physical characteristics are examined before the tungsten carbide rods are approved.
Uses of Tungsten Rods
Tungsten rods are mostly used for machining tungsten components or as a tool for machining conductors, burdening steel production, and additives. In addition, they are used in advanced autos' electrodes, cylinder burdening, and crankshaft.
Properties of a Pure Tungsten Rod
- Extremely Dense: 19.25 g/cm3
- 3422 °C (6192 °F) is the high melting point.
- Exceptional Tensile Strength
- Limited Thermal Expansion Coefficient
- minimal electrical resistance
- adequate machinability
- High Capacity for Absorption
- Strong Elasticity
