Refractory Metals

BMI supplies a comprehensive range of refractory metals and their alloys — materials engineered for the most extreme thermal, mechanical, and corrosive environments.

These metals — Tungsten (W), Molybdenum (Mo), Tantalum (Ta), Niobium (Nb), and Rhenium (Re) — form the backbone of aerospace propulsion, nuclear technology, electronics, and advanced tooling industries.

Their defining properties include melting points above 2000 °C, superior creep resistance, and outstanding chemical inertness under high stress and temperature.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR EVERY REQUIREMENT.

GRADES

Tungsten (W)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Tantalum (Ta)
Niobium (Nb)
Rhenium (Re)
W–Re Alloy
Mo–Re Alloy
Tungsten Copper (WCu)
Tungsten Silver (WAg)

Specialty grades available upon request.

PRODUCT RANGE

Sheets & Plates: Vacuum hot-rolled and annealed for high-temp service
Rods & Bars: Forged or sintered for aerospace and furnace applications
Wires: Drawn tungsten, molybdenum, and rhenium wires for thermocouples and filaments
Foils: Ultra-thin refractory foils for vacuum and semiconductor use
Tubes & Crucibles: Seamless and welded components for chemical and nuclear industries
Fasteners: Bolts, nuts, and threaded rods in Mo, Ta, and Nb grades
Fabricated Parts: Custom machined and HIP-consolidated refractory components

STANDARDS

Wrought tungsten plate, sheet, and strip - ASTM B760
Molybdenum and molybdenum alloy products - ASTM B387
Tungsten–copper contact materials - ASTM B708
Heavy and composite tungsten alloys - ASTM B708 / B777 / B775
Mo, Ta, Nb, and their alloys - ASTM B708 / B387 / B365
Tantalum and tantalum alloys (sheet, bar, wire) - ASTM B365
Niobium and niobium alloy products - ASTM B393
Aerospace molybdenum and TZM alloys - AMS 7897 / 7898
Aerospace quality management for refractory metals - ISO 9001 / AS9100D

MAKE

We source and stock products regularly from:

Plansee SE – Tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, and niobium products
H.C. Starck Solutions – Powder metallurgy and sintered alloys
Treibacher Industrie AG – Mo and W alloy powders
ATI Specialty Materials – High-temp molybdenum and rhenium alloys
Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group – Tungsten and molybdenum products
A.L.M.T. Corp.– Rhenium and refractory wire manufacturing
Elmet Technologies – Refractory metal components and wire products

Specific Makes are available upon request

MTC is always provided when you choose BMI

QUALITY PARAMETERS SET BY BMI

Ultra-High Melting Points: 2400–3400 °C
Exceptional High-Temperature Strength and Hardness
Low Vapor Pressure in Vacuum — ideal for space and furnace environments
Excellent Dimensional Stability under Thermal Cycling
Superior Corrosion and Erosion Resistance
Good Electrical and Thermal Conductivity (especially Mo and Nb)
Radiation Shielding & Chemical Inertness

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Alloy / Metal W Mo Ta Nb Re Other Elements

Pure Tungsten 99.9 — — — — Trace O, C

W–Re (26Re) 74 — — — 26 —

Pure Molybdenum — 99.9 — — — Trace Si, Fe

TZM Alloy (Mo–Ti–Zr–C) — Balance — — — 0.5 Ti, 0.1 Zr, 0.03 C

Pure Tantalum — — 99.9 — — Trace O, N, C

Pure Niobium — — — 99.9 — Trace Ta, O

Pure Rhenium — — — — 99.9 Trace impurities

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Property Tungsten Molybdenum Tantalum Niobium Rhenium

Tensile Strength (MPa) 700–1000 550–700 200–400 250–500 900–1200

Elastic Modulus (GPa) 400 320 186 105 460

Elongation (%) <1–5 10 25 30 10

Density (g/cm³) 19.31 0.21 6.6 8.57 21.0

Melting Point (°C) 3420 2620 3017 2477 3180

Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) 170 140 57 54 48

Max Service Temp (°C) 2800 2000 2500 1800 2500

INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS.

Aerospace & Spacecraft: Rocket nozzles, thrust chambers, and heat shields
Energy & Power: Furnace elements, thermocouples, and reactor parts
Electronics & Semiconductors: Targets, heat sinks, and interconnects
Medical & Radiation Shielding: Collimators, X-ray components
Chemical & Vacuum Processing: Crucibles, reaction vessels, liners
Defense & Ballistics: Kinetic penetrators, high-density cores