Titanium vs Tungsten: Which is Better
Titanium and tungsten both have high importance in engineering and industries as well as in jewellery making. including the popular item of wedding bands. Titanium is a lightweight, corrosion resistant material. While tungsten is a hard metal and is highly dense or belongs to heavy metals. It is a scratch resistant and has many industrial applications. Both are similar in appearance but are different chemically and practically. This article will explore their differences, properties, applications and pros and cons.
What is Tungsten?
Tungsten is an element found in periodic table with atomic number 74. It is represented with symbol “W” and also known as Wolfram. It is a wear resistant, scratch resistant and a heavy metal. steel is frequently combined with tungsten to get better strength and hardness. It is a common cutting tool employed in machining, for radiation shielding and for jewelry making.
What Is Tungsten Made of?
Tungsten is a heavy metal found with other compounds. It is a rare metal and is a refractory material, means heat resistant. Pure tungsten in a coarse powder from could ignite on its own and could catch fire.
Can Tungsten Rust?
No, tungsten cannot rust or tarnish. It is sometimes used in heating devices. Because it is a heat resistant and can survive high temperatures and harsh conditions.
Is Tungsten Scratch-Resistant?
Yes, it is highly scratch-resistant, it is also very storin and does not bend easily. It is best option for wedding bands or rings or other jewelry to use every day like platinum.
Is Tungsten Carbide hypoallergenic?
Yes, it is hypoallergenic. It is best choice for sensitive skin people and looks stylish. Its wedding bands and rings has variety of color and shapes which looks elegant and beautiful like platinum.
What is Titanium?
Titanium is a transition element. It has silver and white appearance. Titanium is a corrosion resistant, water-resistant element in the concentrated acid and gets dissolved. Titanium has a variety of applications is aerospace, medical and construction industries.
Titanium Element Symbol
Titanium is represented by ‘Ti”. It is found as an oxide in nature. Ti requires processing and refining to use in various applications.
Is Titanium a Soft Metal?
Yes, it is a soft metal. but it is highly durable and cannot bend or crack easily when pressure applied. It is tough to snap or scratch titanium band or its wedding bands.
Titanium vs Tungsten Price
Tungsten is a costly material among heavy metals. It is a hard metal and costs up to $3.25/pound. Titanium is a cheaper and costs up to $0.35/pound.
Titanium vs Tungsten Pros and Cons
Titanium
Pros |
Cons |
It has high corrosion and rust prevention properties |
It is an expensive metal than steel and aluminum |
It has high recyclability and reusability |
It is not readily available |
It is a lightweight metal than steel and has comparable strength |
Casting of Ti is difficult than cast iron. |
It has high strength to weight ratio, which is highly demanding in aerospace industry, |
The melting point is high and is difficult to weld titanium |
Tungsten
Pros |
Cons |
It has high hardness and is used in machining for cutting tools |
It is difficult to cut, weld or drill due to high hardness |
Its cutting tools are stable in high temperatures |
It is a costly metal than zinc, steel and other common metals. |
It has high corrosion resistance and is best for marine applications |
It has high melting point which is difficult for its processing |
High melting point is beneficial in extreme heating conditions. |
High hardness can result in cracking or shattering upon extremely high pressure |
It is used in x-ray targets, electronic parts and for radiation shielding. |
Wedding bands or rings cannot be resized or reshaped. |
Chemical Properties of Titanium and Tungsten
Titanium
- It has atomic number 22 and atomic weight 47.9g/mol
- It is transition metal and is solid at room temperature.
- It has the most stable oxidation state 4+.
- It is reactive with nitrogen and oxygen.
- It is not resistant to pure hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid.
Tungsten
- It has atomic number 74 and atomic weight 183g/mol
- It is transition metal and is solid at room temperature.
- The key isotope of W is 182W,184W,186W,
- It is rare metal and has a crystal abundance of around 1.0–1.5mg/kg,
- It has good electrical properties and used in lightbulb filament
What are the Differences Between Tungsten and Titanium: Physical Properties
Physical properties |
Titanium |
Tungsten |
Density |
4.5g/cm3 |
19.25g/cm3 |
Weight |
Less |
High |
Melting temperature |
1668 |
3422 |
Thermal conductivity |
17Wm.K |
175Wm/K |
Thermal expansion coefficient |
8.5 X 10-6K-2 |
14.4x10-6K-2 |
Specific heat |
0.72 J/gK |
0.13 J/g K |
Is Tungsten Heavy?
Yes, it is heavier than Titanium. It also belongs to one of the heavy metals. The density and weight are higher than titanium.
Mechanical Properties
mechanical properties |
Titanium |
Tungsten |
Tensile strength |
63000psi |
142000psi |
Yield strength |
34809psi |
109000psi |
Hardness (mohs) |
6 |
8.5 |
Corrosion resistance |
High |
High |
Strength-to-weight ratio |
High |
less |
Modulus of elasticity |
17404ksi |
58000ksi |
Is Tungsten Stronger Than Titanium
Yes, tungsten is stronger than titanium because it has higher tensile, yield strength and modulus of elasticity than titanium.
Summary Chart of tungsten and titanium
Properties |
Titanium |
Tungsten |
Welding |
Highly weldable for arc welding |
low weldability |
Scratch resistance |
High |
Higher |
Crack resistance |
Higher |
High |
Cost |
cheaper |
Coslty |
Stronger |
Less |
High |
Weight |
Lighter |
Heavy metal |
Ductility |
Soft metal |
Hard metal |
Manufacturing and Processing Techniques
Machining
Machining of tungsten is harder than titanium. It is a hard metal and 4 times heavier than titanium. Titanium is rather a soft of ductile than tungsten and can easily be drilled, grind or CNC machined. Tangent is used in cutting tools for machining because of high abrasive properties.
Welding
Tungsten has high melting temperature, and it is used in application where high heating or elevated temperatures are required. Welding can be sometimes difficult because it is a hard metal like platinum. titanium can be welded by all the conventional welding method specially arc welding.
Surface Treatments
Surface treatment of W results in smooth surface and less frictional properties. it helps in preventing buildup of debris and chip when used as cutting tools. Titanium also has good surface treatment results. It can undergo sand polishing, buffing, polishing of all kinds and mirror polishing.
What is Better: Tungsten or Titanium?
Tungsten vs Titanium Rings
Both are good option for wending bands and rings. Titanium is lightweight and hypoallergenic. while tungsten is more durable and scratch resistant.
Titanium Carbide vs Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten carbide is the most used cutting tools. It has better abrasives properties and higher toughness. Titanium carbide is harder but has lower toughness.
Cerakote Titanium vs Tungsten
Cerakote titanium has good surface properties and has stronger bond. Cerakote Tungsten performs best temperatures up to 1200°F. it is mostly employed in high temperature coatings.
Tungsten vs Stainless Steel
Tungsten is much harder than stainless steel. it has high toughness and durability.
FAQ
Does Sterling Silver Turn Your Finger Green?
Sterling silver contains copper. Any metal with copper can turn skin green. Pure gold does not turn skin green.
Do Titanium Rings Break
Titanium wedding bands and rings do not break or fracture, they are highly durable and high strength to weight ratio and is lightweight.