FAQ
Provided below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to answer the most commonly asked questions. If after viewing this page you require a more specific answer or your question is not covered, please feel free to email us for further assistance.
Q – What are refractory metals?
A – Refractory metals have one characteristic in common: an exceptionally high melting point. Tungsten, for example, melts at 3410°C (6170°F), which is more than double that of iron and ten times that of lead. As a group, they are found in one section of the periodic table of elements.
Q – What important properties do these metals have?
A – The mechanical and physical properties of refractory metals are compared to other common metals in Table 1. The strength values of the metals in Table 1 are given in ranges because the strengths of these metals may vary considerably with form and processing.
Strength is not the only thing which can vary because of processing methods. Alloying or combining the metals in composites can often provide properties which are, in some respects, superior to those inherent in the base metal itself. So, although there are only five principal refractory metals, they serve as major constituents in dozens of important metal and alloy compositions.
| Metals | Density [g/cm3] | Tensile Strength[MPa] at RT | Electrical conductivity %IACS | Electrical conductivity %IACS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tungsten | 19.3 | 689-3445 | 31 | 4.063 |
| Molybdenum | 19.3 | 689-3445 | 31 | 4.063 |
| Niobium | 19.3 | 689-3445 | 31 | 4.063 |
| Aluminum | 19.3 | 689-3445 | 31 | 4.063 |
| Zinc | 19.3 | 689-3445 | 31 | 4.063 |
| Copper | 19.3 | 689-3445 | 31 | 4.063 |
| Iron | 19.3 | 689-3445 | 31 | 4.063 |
Table 1: Mechanical and physical properties comparison
Alloys containing varying amounts of refractory metals are vital to virtually every major industry, including automotive, mining, aerospace, chemical and petroleum processing, electrical and electronics, medical electronics and prosthetics, metal processing, nuclear technology and ordnance. The principal areas of uses for the five refractory metals are shown in Table 2.
| Applications | W | Mo | Ta | Nb | Re |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive | X | X | X | X | X |
| Mining | X | X | X | X | |
| Aerospace | X | X | X | X | X |
| Chemical and Petroleum Processing | X | X | X | X | X |
| Electrical and Electronics | X | X | X | X | |
| Medical Electronics and Prosthetics | X | X | X | ||
| Metal Processing | X | X | X | X | X |
| Nuclear Technology | X | X | X | X | |
| Ordnance | X | X | X | X | X |
Table 2: Major Uses of Refractory Metals
Q – What is metallurgy?
A – Metallurgy is the science of forming metal into desired shapes or manipulating a metal’s properties through heating or melting and alloying to achieve the desired finished metal shape and chemistry.
Q – What is the difference between molybdenum and TZM?
A – Molybdenum is the raw, unalloyed form of TZM. The alloy consists of titanium, zirconium, carbon, and molybdenum, which allows for higher recrystallization temperatures, strength, and hardness. Additionally, the alloy proves to be more ductile than raw molybdenum, allowing for greater machinability.
Q – Do you supply samples of material?
A – Yes, we are happy to supply small samples of material for you to test. We can also supply prototype quantities through to volume production to suit your needs.
Q – How long will it take for you to send me a quote?
A – This depends totally on the complexity of your requirements. For simple items such as bars and rods, we can generally supply a quotation within 48 hours. For more complex items, we should be able to respond within 3 to 4 days.
