Is tungsten stronger than titanium?
Tungsten and titanium make the list of the strongest metals on the earth. But there is also a debate on which is stronger among these two metals. You find this question more prevalent in discussions on jewelry, especially among people who want to drift from traditional silver and gold.
If you are on this train, I got you covered. In this article, I’ll discuss the difference between the strength, durability, weight, luster, and many other properties of these two metals. In the end, you will be able to make a choice of which you will be getting.
Properties of tungsten
- Tungsten is a period 6 transition metal with atomic number 74 and a molar mass of 183.84 g/mol
- Tungsten is a greyish-white lustrous solid at room temperature
- It is a heavy metal with high tensile strength
- Tungsten is the metal with the highest melting point (3,410°C; 6,170°F) and lowest vapor pressure (4.27Pa at its melting point)
- It has a boiling point of 10,220°F (5,660°C)
- The density of tungsten (19.3 g/cm3) is 2.5 times that of steel and is equivalent to that of gold
- Tungsten is highly valued for its contribution to metal alloys. It blends with other metals to form improved metals with excellent properties
- Some metals it alloys with are nickel, cobalt, iron, and copper. The alloy grade depends on the metal it alloys with. However, the resulting metals are easy to work with
Properties of titanium
- Titanium is a period 4 transition metal with atomic number 22 and a molar mass of 47.86 g/mol
- It is a lustrous, silvery grey-white metal with a melting point of 3,034°F (1,668°C), boiling point of 5,949°F (3,287°C), and density of 4.5 g/cm3 at 68°F (20°C)
- It has a poor thermal and electrical conductivity, almost equivalent to the conductivity of steel
- Titanium is an important metal in the formation of steel alloys
- It forms alloys with molybdenum, iron, aluminum, vanadium, and other elements
Is tungsten stronger than titanium?
Tungsten is stronger than titanium and is the strongest metal on the earth, but titanium has a higher impact strength and is not as brittle as tungsten.
Tungsten vs titanium
Physical appearance
Both metals are silver-grey, but tungsten is darker than titanium. Among the two, titanium can be anodized to colors like rose gold, blue, green, and purple.
On the other hand, tungsten is only available in white, black, and silvery gray. Jewelers also make plated varieties of tungsten rings using metals like gold, platinum, and nickel. However, plating tungsten may reduce its scratch resistance.
When it comes to luster, tungsten has a higher refractive index, which makes it more lustrous than titanium. This higher refractive index is also behind its long-lasting shine.
Strength
Both metals are strong and have a high strength-to-density ratio, but titanium has a higher ratio because it is a lightweight metal. Tungsten is heavier and will have a lesser ratio. Tungsten has a tensile strength of 142,000 psi, while titanium has a tensile strength of 63,000 psi.
On the other hand, tungsten has a smaller impact strength than titanium. It is more brittle and will smash easily. On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, tungsten has a score of 9 and titanium has a score of 6.
The strength of metals can also be evaluated in a pound-for-pound comparison. Using this factor, titanium is stronger than tungsten. However, titanium has a lower compression strength than tungsten.
Durability
Tungsten is more durable than titanium. It is stronger, harder, and more scratch-resistant. This is not to say it does not get scratches, but in comparison to gold, it is 3.5 times scratch-resistant.
Although titanium will scratch easily, it can withstand a similar amount of force that will crack tungsten.
Cost
Titanium jewelry is more affordable than its tungsten counterparts. However, the cost of jewelry is determined by other factors besides the type of metal. Some of these factors are the presence of embellishments, customization, craftsmanship, and location.
That is to say, you may find some titanium jewelry more expensive than tungsten. But, if all factors are equal in both jewelry, tungsten will be pricier.
Overall, tungsten and titanium jewelry are more affordable than silver, gold, and platinum.
Resistance to oxygen, water, and acids
Both metals show high resistance to corrosion from oxygen, water, and acids, but titanium has the upper hand. It is more resistant to corrosion in marine and acid rain environments. It also shows higher resistance to pitting, crevice, and stress corrosion.
Applications
Both metals find application in the making of jewelry because of their unique look that separates them from traditional silver and gold.
They also find use in aerospace, but titanium is more preferred because it is lightweight. Because of its higher impact strength, titanium is preferred for building underwater vessels. The high tensile strength of tungsten makes it preferable for military vessels.
Furthermore, tungsten has a higher melting point, which makes it better suited for light bulb filaments and television tubes. It also finds application in high-speed cutting tools and rocket engines because of its high thermal conductivity.
Pros and cons of tungsten
Pros
- It is scratch-resistant and durable
- Tungsten jewelry has a long-lasting shine
- More affordable than precious metals
- It is hypoallergenic
Cons
- It is a heavy metal that leaves you overly conscious of its weight on your finger
- Tungsten shatters easily
- Tungsten jewelry cannot be resized
- Unlike sterling silver, the value of tungsten drops, and it loses its value for resale
Pros and cons of titanium
Pros
- Titanium is scratch-resistant like tungsten
- It has a greater impact strength and won’t shatter
- Titanium jewelry is more affordable than jewelry made with precious stones
- It is lightweight, corrosion- and rust-resistant
Cons
- Titanium is not a lustrous metal
- Titanium jewelry is difficult to resize
- Like tungsten, it is not a precious metal, so its value drops greatly at resale
- Titanium is available in a variety of colors and finishes
Is tungsten better than titanium?
It all depends on what you are looking for. Considering weight, titanium is a better choice than tungsten, which is naturally heavy.
Both metals are hypoallergenic, but if you have extremely sensitive skin, you should go for titanium. Also, tungsten is more scratch-resistant but breaks easily.
For a fashionable choice, tungsten is your best bet. But if you cannot afford the cost and wouldn’t mind something simple but long-lasting, that’s titanium.
FAQs
What is stronger than tungsten?
Tungsten is the strongest metal in the world. Other metals may beat it in terms of density and brittleness, but it remains the strongest metal.
Can tungsten and titanium make alloys?
Tungsten and titanium are combined to form alloys using powder metal technology. Tungsten-titanium alloys contain 9-20% tungsten and 91-80% titanium by weight.
The resulting alloy is a hard, lightweight, high-strength metal. It has a yield strength of at least 120,000 psi and ductility of at least 20% elongation.
Does titanium rust?
Titanium does not rust. It can withstand long periods of exposure to water, saltwater, acids, and alkalis. When titanium metal comes in contact with oxygen, it forms an oxide film layer on its surface to protect the metal from corrosion.
Because of this rust-resistant property, titanium is commonly used for making outdoor equipment, pipes, and handrails.
Conclusion
It’s true that tungsten and titanium look a lot like each other and are often mistaken for each other. However, they are two different metals with different properties.
If you are looking for a light jewelry, it should be titanium against the high-strength tungsten. Although tungsten is stronger, it will break more easily than titanium.
Both metals have applications across industrial and fashion purposes. The choice of metal a manufacturer picks depends on what they want. Similarly, the ring you choose will depend on what you want.
Read this guide on tungsten corrosion to know your chances with tungsten rings.
Thanks for reading.