Ultra-high density & high temperature / strength stability

  • shoulder bolt sVery high density of 19.3 gm/cc
  • Radiopaque to x-rays and other radiation
  • High strength at extreme high temperatures (vacuum)
  • Excellent corrosion resistance
  • Mechanical properties of tungsten hex bolts
  • Tungsten material datasheet
  • Tungsten shoulder bolt features & benefits

Tungsten shoulder bolts are known for their extreme high density; because of this unique attribute, they are often used for balancing rotating parts. Tungsten’s high mass also makes these bolts radiopaque. This allows tungsten bolts to block radiation and show up well on x-rays – even better than lead. Another unique attribute of tungsten is its extrmely high melting point of 3420°C. The high temperature stability of tungsten shoulder bolts make them ideal for some of the hottest vacuum furnace environments. Beyond their high mass and temperature stability, tungsten fasteners are also very corrosion resistant.

Tungsten shoulder 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. Fasteners can also be made from Commercially Pure (CP) Tungsten.

Applications

  • The aerospace industry depends on the shoulder 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.
  • The heat treating / furnace industry uses tungsten bolts in high temperature vacuum furnaces due to tungstens great high temperature strength & stability.
  • The oil & gas industry uses tungsten shoulder 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 bolts also play a role in the medical community for their low magnetic properties as well as their radiopaque properties.

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

Tungsten alloy chart Revised 6 28 18


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