Tungsten powder is a key material across several industries due to its high density, strength, and thermal stability. Choosing the right tungsten powder supplier is vital to get the appropriate grade, quality and support for your application.
Applications of Tungsten Powder
Table 1: Major Applications of Tungsten Powder
| Industry | Applications |
|---|---|
| Defense | Penetrators, radiation shielding |
| Automotive | Counterweights, vibration damping |
| Electronics | Heat sinks, conductors |
| Manufacturing | Tungsten carbide tools, mining buttons |
| Medical | X-ray shielding, implants |
Tungstenโs unique properties like temperature resistance, density, hardness and conductivity make tungsten powder suitable for specialized uses across sectors.
Tungsten Powder Types
Table 2: Major Types of Tungsten Powder
| Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Chemical Pure Grades | 99.9% purity; For high performance parts |
| Oxide-Free Grades | Minimized or no oxides; For sintering |
| Pressed and Sintered Grades | For machining into parts |
| Plasma/Thermal Spray Grades | For coatings; large particle size |
| Nano Powder Grades | High surface area; for chemical uses |
Different powder production methods, post-treatment and particle engineering leads to grades suited for specific applications.
Leading Tungsten Powder Manufacturers
Table 3: Major Commercial Providers of Tungsten Powder
| Company | Headquarters |
|---|---|
| Midwest Tungsten Service | USA |
| Tonglu Tungsten & Molybdenum | China |
| Japan New Metals Company | Japan |
| HC Starck Solutions | Germany |
| Buffalo Tungsten | USA |
Companies offering tungsten powder source raw material from mining partners and have expertise in multi-step powder processing through methods like hydrogen reduction, chemical vapor deposition etc.
Pricing Metrics and Details
Table 4: Typical Price Range for Tungsten Powder Products
| Morphology/Type | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Chemical pure grades | $250-1000 per kg |
| 1-10 micron powder | $100-600 per kg |
| Nano powder <100nm | $2000+ per kg |
| Powder blends | Application-dependent |
Pricing varies based on:
- Purity levels
- Particle size range
- Purchase volumes
- Special handling or compliance needs
Sourcing Considerations
Table 5: Key Factors in Choosing Tungsten Powder Suppliers
| Criteria | Specifics |
|---|---|
| Technical expertise | Qualifications in powder handling, risk areas |
| Quality certifications | ISO 9001; suitable for electronics, medical uses |
| Control systems | Documentation for regulatory, compliance standards |
| R&D competence | Ability to customize particle characteristics |
| Manufacturing scale | Metric ton+ quantity capabilities |
| Customer support | Quick response; address quality issues |
Consider scope of technical services available from powder vendors during supplier selection process.
Pros vs Cons of Tungsten Powder
Table 6: Advantages and Challenges of Tungsten Powder
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High melting point and chemical resistance | Brittle if contaminated, prone to cracking |
| Bio-compatible grades available | Requires careful handling given high density |
| Range of grades tailored for applications | High temperature expertise needed for manufacture |
| Can be alloyed to modify properties like ductility | Limited suppliers globally leading to supply uncertainty |
Despite sourcing and manufacturing challenges, tungsten powder provides extreme thermal stability coupled with density higher than any pure metal, giving unique functional benefits.
FAQs
Q: Does tungsten powder require special care during shipping or transportation?
A: Yes, given high material density posing containment risks, regulated shipment procedures may apply. Proper labeling, safety documentation are vital. Suppliers with expertise in such shipping compliance should be chosen.
Q: What is green tungsten powder?
A: Green tungsten powder is the powder compact formed after the initial pressing operation but before full sintering cycle. The “green” compact has sufficient strength for handling but has not reached final sintered density.
Q: Is tungsten powder flammable?
A: Extremely fine tungsten powder can be pyrophoric, catching fire in contact with air. But larger particle sizes for pressing/sintering are not flammable intrinsically. Precautions are still needed given high temperature handling and hydrogen atmosphere exposure during production. Proper protective equipment for powder storage and handling should be used.
