This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what

changes have been made to the previous version. Because

it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.

Designation: B777 − 07 (Reapproved 2013) 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
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for four classes of machinable, high-density tungsten base metal produced by
consolidating metal powder mixtures, the composition of which is mainly tungsten. This material specification may be used for
bare parts or for parts that may be coated with other materials for protection against corrosion and abrasion.
1.2 This specification describes physical, mechanical, and microstructural testing of a material lot based on the use of test
coupons, not actual parts. Sintered properties typically vary both with part size and sampling location within a given part. Results
obtained from coupon testing may therefore differ from the properties of a specific location in a larger part.
1.3 Intended Use—Parts made from this material are intended for uses such as weights or counter-balances in static or dynamic
balancing, high-speed rotating inertia members, radiation shielding, hypervelocity impact, and vibration-damping applications. In
selecting the appropriate alloy for a given application, it is important to note that as the tungsten content of the alloy is increased,
stiffness, radiation attenuation, and density increase with an accompanying decrease in attainable ductility.
1.4 Special Applications—For particular applications, properties or requirements other than those specified in Sections 5, 6, and
7 of this specification may be important. These alloys may contain elements which make them magnetic. weakly ferromagnetic.
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Where freedom from magnetic response is required, this should be specified in the purchase order. Class 4 is not available in a
non-magnetic grade. For purposes of this specification, non-magnetic material is defined as material having a maximum magnetic

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permeability of 1.05 (see Test Method B193A342). Also for special applications involving large sections, methods for determining
internal quality, such as mechanical tests ontesting of specimens excised from these larger sections or suitable nondestructive tests
may be applied. If required, these additional tests such part property data are required, an additional part-specific test program shall
be specified in the purchase order. Document Preview
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
ASTM B777-15
2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
A600 Specification for Tool Steel High Speed
B193A342 Test MethodMethods for ResistivityPermeability of Electrical ConductorWeakly Magnetic Materials
B311 Test Method for Density of Powder Metallurgy (PM) Materials Containing Less Than Two Percent Porosity
D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging
E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
E8E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials
E407 Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
2.2 Federal Standard:
Fed. Std. No. 151 Metals, Test Methods3

1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B10 on Reactive and Refractory Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
B10.04 on Molybdenum and Tungsten.
Current edition approved May 1, 2013Dec. 1, 2015. Published May 2013December 2015. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20072013 as
B777 – 07. 07 (2013). DOI: 10.1520/B0777-07R13.10.1520/B0777-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
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 B777 − 15
3. Classification
3.1 The tungsten base metal shall be of the following classes (see Table 1 and Table 2), as specified (see 4.1):).
Class Tungsten, Nominal Wt.
%

1 90
2 92.5
3 95
4 97

4. Ordering Information
4.1 Orders for tungsten base, high-density metal should specify the following:
4.1.1 Title, designation, and year of issue of this specification,
4.1.2 Class, (see 3.1),
4.1.3 Machinability requirements, if any (see 7.3),
4.1.3 Quantity,
4.1.4 Levels of preservation and packing (see 9.1),
4.1.5 Special markings, if required (see 9.2),
4.1.6 Method of hardness testing, if different from Rockwell “C” (see Table 1),
4.1.7 Freedom of parts from magnetic response, if required (see 1.31.4), and
4.1.8 Dimensions and tolerances.

5. Materials and Manufacture

5.1 Materials—The raw materials shall be a mixture of loose metal powders consisting mainly of tungsten and a metallic
powder binder with some combination of binder elements such as copper, nickel nickel, iron, or iron,other which, by sintering, will

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produce materials sintered shapes meeting the requirements of this specification.

6. Chemical Composition

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6.1 The specified class shall have the nominal tungsten content in Table 1.

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7. Physical and Mechanical Properties
7.1 Composition, Physical and Mechanical Properties—The sintered material shall have properties conforming to Table 1 and
Table 2 as determined on standard sintered test bars (see Test Methods E8E8/E8M).
ASTM
7.2 Microstructure—The microstructure of each sample shallB777-15
be a uniform distribution of tungsten particles in a binder metal
matrix when viewed at a magnification of 200 times. The location may be specified (see 8.4.5).
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7.3 Machinability—When specified (see 4.1), the machinability of the basic parts or of a suitable test specimen shall be such
that it shall pass the test specified in 8.4.6.
7.3 Identification—Each lot and associated test bars shall be clearly marked with a lot serial number (see 8.3.1).

TABLE 1 Composition, Density and Hardness Properties

Nominal HardnessA,B
Density,
Class Tungsten, Rockwell “C,”
g/cc max
weight %
1 90 16.85–17.25 32
2 92.5 17.15–17.85 33
3 95 17.75–18.35 34
4 97 18.25–18.85 35

TABLE 1 Composition, Density and Hardness Properties

Nominal HardnessA,B
Density,
Class Tungsten, Rockwell “C,”
g/cc max
weight %
1 90 16.85–17.30 32
2 92.5 17.15–17.85 33
3 95 17.75–18.35 34
4 97 18.25–18.85 35
A
When specified by the purchaser, other hardness testing methods may be
employed.
B
For Hardness values are for unworked (as-sintered or annealed) material. For
mechanically worked or strain aged material, the hardness can be as high as
Rc46.49.