Laser Cutting Tungsten is a core capability at VT machining. We combine controlled cutting with material-aware setup for Tungsten — an alloy that is extreme hardness, density and heat resistance — to produce parts that meet your specification first time.
Laser Cutting Capability for Tungsten
- Fiber source 1–6 kW
- Kerf width 0.1–0.3 mm
- Contour tolerance ±0.05 mm
- Assist gas (N₂/O₂) selected per alloy
Tungsten Material Data
| Density | 19.25 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 750–1500 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 550 MPa |
| Hardness | 350–500 HV |
| Melting point | 3422 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 173 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 4.5 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 31% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | grind / EDM only |
| Grades we run | Pure W (99.95%), W-Ni-Fe heavy alloy (17.0–18.5 g/cm³), WC-Co |
Published typical values for Pure W / W-Ni-Fe. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Conventional cutting is not on the table for pure tungsten. Features are wire-EDM cut and ground; expect longer lead time than any other metal on the list.
How Laser Cutting Tungsten Works
A focused fibre-laser beam melts and blows material from the Tungsten sheet along the programmed contour. Power, focal position, nozzle stand-off and assist-gas pressure are tuned to the alloy and thickness for a clean, square edge.
We start from your supplied geometry and tolerance scheme. The setup is designed to minimise re-clamping, which protects positional accuracy across features. A first article is verified against the drawing before the balance of the batch is released.
Achievable Tolerances for Laser Cutting Tungsten
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Contour dimension | ±0.10 mm | ±0.05 mm |
| Hole diameter | ±0.10 mm | ±0.05 mm |
| Kerf width | 0.20 mm | 0.10 mm |
| Squareness of cut edge | 0.5° | 0.2° |
| Heat-affected zone | 0.15 mm | 0.05 mm (N₂ assist) |
| Minimum hole diameter | 1.2 × thickness | 1.0 × thickness |
| Edge condition | light dross | burr-free, N₂ cut |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
Design Tips for Laser Cutting Tungsten
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Keeping holes no smaller than the material thickness, allowing for kerf, and grouping features sensibly improves edge quality and nesting yield on Tungsten. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Laser Cutting Tolerances & Surface Finish
Laser-cut Tungsten holds contour tolerances around ±0.05 mm depending on thickness, with a narrow kerf and a clean, near burr-free edge.
The tightest tolerances are reserved for the features your drawing flags as critical. Share your tolerance scheme and we will confirm what is realistic before quoting.
Laser Cutting Quality & Inspection
Quality is built in, not inspected on. We monitor key features during the run and confirm them at final inspection, with CMM verification available for tight tolerances. We provide the inspection and traceability records your quality system requires.
Working with Tungsten
Tungsten is extreme hardness, density and heat resistance. We translate those properties into a process plan: the right tooling, speeds, feeds and fixturing for the alloy.
Where the grade, temper or heat-treat condition matters to performance, we confirm it with you and can supply material certificates. Material is procured to recognised standards for consistent, repeatable results.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Tungsten parts need some finishing, which we manage in-house or through vetted partners. Options include deburring and edge-breaking, heat treatment, surface grinding, polishing, and plating or anodising for corrosion resistance and appearance. Give us the finished-part requirement and we will sequence every operation correctly.
Applications of Laser Cutting Tungsten
Tungsten parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.
How to Order Laser Cutting Tungsten
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Tungsten grade and condition, the quantity and any finish or inspection requirements. We respond quickly with price, lead time and any DFM notes, in clear English.
Parts We Have Run in Tungsten
Three representative Laser Cutting Tungsten jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.
Control panel face
- Material
- Tungsten
- Size
- 400 × 300 × 1.5 mm
- Key callouts
- Cutout position ±0.10 mm, no dross on visible face
- Batch
- 600 pcs
Cut with nitrogen so the edge takes powder coat without secondary grinding.
Bracket blank
- Material
- Tungsten
- Size
- 250 × 120 × 4 mm
- Key callouts
- Contour ±0.10 mm, bend-relief notches
- Batch
- 800 pcs
Bend reliefs cut in at the same time so the press brake does not tear the corner.
Battery busbar
- Material
- Tungsten
- Size
- 180 × 30 × 2 mm
- Key callouts
- Contour ±0.08 mm, hole ±0.05 mm
- Batch
- 2,000 pcs
Copper is cut on the fibre laser with a reflective-material head; not every shop can run it.
Finishing Options for Tungsten
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote Laser Cutting Tungsten
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact Tungsten grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
Other Metals for Laser Cutting
Other Processes for Tungsten
Send the drawing, the Tungsten grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Which industries use Laser Cutting Tungsten parts?
Laser Cutting Tungsten parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Tungsten components are required.
What is Laser Cutting Tungsten and how is it done?
Laser Cutting Tungsten refers to fiber laser cutting melts and ejects metal along a programmed path, producing a narrow kerf and a clean, near burr-free edge. Applied to Tungsten — extreme hardness, density and heat resistance — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
What surface finish is achievable on Tungsten with Laser Cutting?
Laser cutting leaves a clean cut face on Tungsten with a small heat-affected zone; most parts need little secondary finishing.
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for Laser Cutting Tungsten?
Laser Cutting prototypes for Tungsten can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.