Ultra-high density & high temperature / strength stability
- High strength at extreme high temperatures (vacuum)
- Radiopaque to x-rays and other radiation
- Very high density of 19.3 gm/cc
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Mechanical properties of tungsten shoulder bolts
- Tungsten material datasheet
Tungsten shoulder bolts are an ideal material for high temperature stability. Their extremely high melting point of 3420°C, makes tungsten bolts useful for some of the hottest vacuum furnace environments. Another attribute of tungsten is its extreme high density. The high mass of tungsten shoulder bolts make them radiopaque, allowing them to block radiation and show up well on x-rays – even better than lead. In addition, their high density also makes them ideal for balancing rotating parts. Beyond their high mass and temperature stability, tungsten shoulder bolts are also very corrosion resistant.
Tungsten bolts are usually made from tungsten alloys per ASTM B777, and range from 90% to 97% pure tungsten, alloyed with nickel and copper or nickel and iron. Shoulder bolts can also be made from Commercially Pure (CP) Tungsten.
Applications
- The heat treating / furnace industry uses tungsten shoulder bolts in high temperature vacuum furnaces due to tungstens great high temperature strength & stability.
- The oil & gas industry uses tungsten bolts for radiation shielding properties to protect equipment used in oil and gas detection, as well as down hole logging for density and ability to withstand intense hydrostatic pressure
- Tungsten shoulder bolts also play a role in the medical community for their low magnetic properties as well as their radiopaque properties.
- The aerospace industry depends on the tungsten bolts for their combination of high density and mechanical strength which allows them to reduce the physical size of components, offering greater control of weight distribution for propellers, inertial systems and fluid control systems to name a few.
Resources: Tungsten Torque Specs
Tungsten Bolts: Hex Bolts
Tungsten Shoulder Bolt Features and Benefits
Tungsten shoulder bolts, also called stripper bolts are a unique fastener with three main parts: head, shoulder, and thread. The head has the largest diameter and is where the torque is applied, typically with a socket driver. The shoulder is smooth and unthreaded, and has a set diameter and length. The shoulder’s role is to act as a shaft or dowel for rotating parts, axles for rolling parts, guides for sliding elements, and pivot points. The final part of a tungsten shoulder bolt is the threaded shaft. The threaded portion of a shoulder bolt has a major diameter slightly smaller than the shoulder diameter.
Tungsten Chemistry & Specifications
Tungsten Specifications: ASTM B777, Mil Spec T-21014D
