Titanium and tungsten are both high-performance metallic materials widely used in industry. They differ greatly in their physical properties and areas of application. Let’s compare and understand these two materials in depth.
Tungsten vs Titanium
Density: the density of titanium is 4.5g/cm3, the density of tungsten is 19.3g/cm3, tungsten density is obviously greater than titanium.
Melting point: titanium’s melting point is 1668°C, tungsten’s melting point is 3410°C, tungsten’s melting point is much higher than titanium.
Toughness: titanium has good toughness and plasticity, easy to press molding. Tungsten is hard and brittle, difficult to form.
Machinability: titanium is easy to process and suitable for machining. Tungsten is hard and brittle, difficult to process, and often needs EDM.
Corrosion resistance: both have strong corrosion resistance, titanium corrosion of the body is weak and strong corrosion of alkali. Tungsten has almost no corrosion.
Conductivity: tungsten is an excellent conductor, conductivity is much greater than titanium.
Strength: titanium’s strength is high, generally 800-1000MPa. tungsten due to high density, the same specifications under the lower strength.
Applications: Titanium is more suitable for aircraft, surgery and weight reduction structures. Tungsten is suitable for high-temperature applications such as catheters, wires, and X-rays.
Cost: Titanium is relatively inexpensive and cost-effective. Tungsten is more expensive.
So overall, titanium is strong, low cost, easy to process, and suitable for space shuttles; tungsten is stable, has a high melting point, and is suitable for high-temperature applications.
Difference between titanium and tungsten alloy manufacturing process
(1) Raw material selection.
Titanium alloy mainly uses titanium powder as raw material.
Tungsten alloy usually uses tungsten powder as raw material.
(2) Metallurgical processing.
Titanium alloys mainly use solid solution treatment and quenching processes for alloy smelting and sintering.
Tungsten alloys require high-temperature sintering of tungsten powder.
(3) Post-treatment.
Titanium alloys are mainly subject to disintegration treatment and heat treatment.
Tungsten alloys are generally cured by heat treatment, without disintegration treatment.
(4) Forming process.
Titanium alloy can be rolled, stretch forming and other methods of forming.
Tungsten alloys are difficult to form, mainly using forging or EDM to form solid materials.
(5) Surface treatment.
The surface of titanium alloy is generally treated with oxide film or anodic etching.
Tungsten alloy surface using nitriding or phosphating to enhance the surface effect.
So overall, the titanium alloy process is relatively simple and low cost; tungsten alloy raw materials are complex, difficult to form, the need for high-temperature sintering forming and high cost. But tungsten alloy high-temperature performance is more excellent.
What is the difference between titanium and tungsten in terms of physical properties?
Titanium has low density and good toughness; tungsten has high density but poor toughness, and its melting point is much higher than that of titanium.
What is the main difference between the two in the field of application?
Titanium is more suitable for aerospace applications that require lightweight; tungsten is suitable for nuclear energy and electronics applications that require high temperature or high strength.
From the cost point of view, which material has the greater advantage?
Titanium is relatively low cost and has a significant advantage in industries with strict cost control measures; however, tungsten has its own unique high-temperature properties.
What is the difference between the two in terms of processing?
Titanium has good toughness and low processing difficulty; tungsten is brittle and difficult to process and requires new technologies such as sintering.
In the future, which one of titanium alloy and tungsten alloy has a broader application prospect?
Titanium alloy in the aviation industry and new energy vehicles have a staggered market; tungsten alloy in the field of new materials and nuclear power will also have a broader development space.
