Designation: B777 − 15

Standard Specification for

Tungsten Base, High-Density Metal1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B777; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded

1.1 This specification covers the requirements for four as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
classes of machinable, high-density tungsten base metal pro- conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
duced by consolidating metal powder mixtures, the composi- and are not considered standard.
tion of which is mainly tungsten. This material specification
may be used for bare parts or for parts that may be coated with 2. Referenced Documents
other materials for protection against corrosion and abrasion. 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
1.2 This specification describes physical, mechanical, and A342 Test Methods for Permeability of Weakly Magnetic
microstructural testing of a material lot based on the use of test Materials
coupons, not actual parts. Sintered properties typically vary B311 Test Method for Density of Powder Metallurgy (PM)
both with part size and sampling location within a given part. Materials Containing Less Than Two Percent Porosity
Results obtained from coupon testing may therefore differ from D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging
the properties of a specific location in a larger part. E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma-
1.3 Intended Use—Parts made from this material are in- terials
tended for uses such as weights or counter-balances in static or E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Ma-
dynamic balancing, high-speed rotating inertia members, ra- terials
diation shielding, hypervelocity impact, and vibration-damping E407 Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
applications. In selecting the appropriate alloy for a given
2.2 Federal Standard:
application, it is important to note that as the tungsten content
Fed. Std. No. 151 Metals, Test Methods3
of the alloy is increased, stiffness, radiation attenuation, and
density increase with an accompanying decrease in attainable
3. Classification
ductility.
3.1 The tungsten base metal shall be of the following classes
1.4 Special Applications—For particular applications, prop-
(see Table 1 and Table 2), as specified (see 4.1).
erties or requirements other than those specified in Sections 5,
6, and 7 of this specification may be important. These alloys
4. Ordering Information
may contain elements which make them weakly ferromagnetic.
Where freedom from magnetic response is required, this 4.1 Orders for tungsten base, high-density metal should
should be specified in the purchase order. Class 4 is not specify the following:
available in a non-magnetic grade. For purposes of this 4.1.1 Title, designation, and year of issue of this
specification, non-magnetic material is defined as material specification,
having a maximum magnetic permeability of 1.05 (see Test 4.1.2 Class, (see 3.1),
Method A342). Also for special applications involving large 4.1.3 Quantity,
sections, methods for determining internal quality, such as 4.1.4 Levels of preservation and packing (see 9.1),
mechanical testing of specimens excised from these larger 4.1.5 Special markings, if required (see 9.2),
sections or suitable nondestructive tests may be applied. If such 4.1.6 Method of hardness testing, if different from Rockwell
part property data are required, an additional part-specific test “C” (see Table 1),
program shall be specified in the purchase order.

1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B10 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Reactive and Refractory Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee B10.04 on Molybdenum and Tungsten. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2015. Published December 2015. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as B777 – 07 (2013). Available from DLA Document Services, Building 4/D, 700 Robbins Ave.,
DOI: 10.1520/B0777-15. Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, http://quicksearch.dla.mil.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 B777 − 15
TABLE 1 Composition, Density and Hardness Properties 8.3.1 Inspection Lot—An inspection lot shall consist of a
Nominal
Density, HardnessA,B uniform blend from one batch of powder, and submitted for
Class Tungsten, Rockwell “C,” inspection at one time. If a shipment is made from more than
g/cc max
weight %
one lot, the purchaser may choose to consider that shipment as
1 90 16.85–17.30 32
2 92.5 17.15–17.85 33 a single inspection lot or may choose to separate the shipment
3 95 17.75–18.35 34 into several inspection lots for acceptance purposes.
4 97 18.25–18.85 35 8.3.2 Sampling for Sintered Property Determination—
A
When specified by the purchaser, other hardness testing methods may be Unless otherwise specified, a minimum of two sintered test
employed.
B
Hardness values are for unworked (as-sintered or annealed) material. For
bars shall be made from each powder (inspection) lot.
mechanically worked or strain aged material, the hardness can be as high as Rc49. 8.3.3 Hardness Tests—Each test bar shall be tested for
conformance with the hardness requirements of Table 1 (see
8.4.1).
4.1.7 Freedom of parts from magnetic response, if required 8.3.4 Density—Each test bar shall be tested for conformance
(see 1.4), and with the density requirements of Table 1 (see 8.4.2).
4.1.8 Dimensions and tolerances. 8.3.5 Tension Tests—Each test bar shall be tested for con-
formance with Table 2 (see 8.4.3).
5. Materials and Manufacture 8.3.6 Sampling for Chemical Composition—A sample from
5.1 Materials—The raw materials shall be a mixture of each blended powder lot shall be tested for the tungsten content
loose metal powders consisting mainly of tungsten with some in conformance with Table 1 (see 8.4.4).
combination of binder elements such as copper, nickel, iron, or 8.3.7 Examination of Microstructure—This test shall be
other which, by sintering, will produce sintered shapes meeting accomplished on one of the test bars (see 8.4.5).
the requirements of this specification. 8.4 Methods for Test and Examinations:
8.4.1 Hardness—Samples shall be tested in accordance with
6. Chemical Composition Test Methods E18.
6.1 The specified class shall have the nominal tungsten 8.4.2 Density—The equal water displacement method per-
content in Table 1. formed in accordance with Test Method B311 shall be used.
8.4.3 Mechanical Properties—Samples shall be tested in
7. Physical and Mechanical Properties accordance with Test Methods E8/E8M.
7.1 Physical and Mechanical Properties—The sintered ma- 8.4.4 Chemical Analysis—Analysis of the lot or lots in
terial shall have properties conforming to Table 1 and Table 2 question shall be made by Method 111 or 112 of Fed. Std. No.
as determined on standard sintered test bars (see Test Methods 151 for conformance with 8.3.6. In case of dispute, chemical
E8/E8M). analysis by Method 111 shall be the basis for acceptance.
7.2 Microstructure—The microstructure of each sample 8.4.5 Microstructure—A test bar shall be sectioned and a
shall be a uniform distribution of tungsten particles in a binder specimen shall be prepared for examination in accordance with
metal matrix when viewed at a magnification of 200 times. The Guide E3. The specimen may be etched (see Practice E407),
location may be specified (see 8.4.5). and shall be examined at a magnification of 200 times for
conformance with 7.2.
7.3 Identification—Each lot and associated test bars shall be
clearly marked with a lot serial number (see 8.3.1). 8.5 Rejection—Unless otherwise stated in the purchase
order, failure to conform to any of the requirements of this
8. Quality Assurance Provisions specification shall be cause for rejection of the lot.
8.1 Responsibility for Inspection—Unless otherwise speci- 9. Packaging and Package Marking
fied in the contract or purchase order, the manufacturer is
9.1 Preservation, Packaging, and Packing—The material
responsible for the performance of all inspection requirements
shall be prepared for delivery in accordance with the produc-
as specified herein. Except as otherwise specified in the
er’s commercial practice or Practice D3951 as specified in such
contract or purchase order, the manufacturer may use his own
a manner as to ensure acceptance for safe delivery by common
facilities for the performance of the inspection or any other
or other carriers to the point of delivery.
facility that is acceptable to the purchaser.
9.2 Marking—If specified in the purchase order, each indi-
8.2 Responsibility for Compliance—All parts must meet all
vidual item and test bar shall be clearly identified with a lot
the requirements agreed upon by purchaser and manufacturer
serial number. Where parts are too small to be individually
from Sections 4, 6 and 7. The inspections set forth in this
identified, they may be grouped for this purpose.
specification shall become a part of the manufacturer’s overall
inspection system or quality program. 10. Keywords
8.3 Quality Conformance Inspection: 10.1 high-density metal; tungsten

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 B777 − 15
TABLE 2 Tensile Properties, Minimum Values
Standard Alloys Nonmagnetic Alloys
Ultimate Strength 0.2 % Offset Yield ELA Ultimate Strength 0.2 % Offset Yield ELA
Class ksi (MPa) ksi (MPa) (%) ksi (MPa) ksi (MPa) (%)
1 110 (758) 75 (517) 5 94 (648) 75 (517) 2
2 110 (758) 75 (517) 5 94 (648) 75 (517) 2
3 105 (724) 75 (517) 3 94 (648) 75 (517) 1
4 100 (689) 75 (517) 2 na na na
A
Determine with an extensometer accurate to 0.5 % elongation or less.

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