Counterweight Densimet®

Overview
Balancing weights made of the tungsten heavy-metal composites Densimet® and Inermet® reduce oscillations, weight transfers, imbalances and vibrations. They can create or shift centres of gravity to ensure optimum balance for products. The materials are also suitable as vibration weights for targeted generation of mechanical oscillations.

Your advantages at a glance

• Maximum density up to 18.8 g/cm3
• High modulus of elasticity
• Good mechanical workability
• High strength
• Environmentally friendly and recyclable

Key uses and application examples

• Automotive: crankshaft counterweights and chassis weights
• Aviation & aerospace: propeller and helicopter blades, rudders, ailerons, radar equipment and avionics systems
• Watchmaking: oscillating weights / rotors
• Sports equipment
• Optical industry: microscopes and precision measuring instruments
• Oil and gas drilling: logging tools

Manufacturing & processing
Components are produced according to customer drawings in a wide range of sizes, from smallest parts up to large components. Production methods include powder processing and liquid-phase sintering of tungsten-based metal matrix composites (W-MMC). State-of-the-art automated systems allow both small series and high-volume production of several million units.

Material options and behaviour
Densimet® and Inermet® contain more than 90% tungsten by weight; nickel-iron or nickel-copper binders are used. By adjusting composition, grades can be optimized for higher density or for greater elasticity and machinability. Non-magnetic variants (Inermet®) are available where magnetic behaviour must be minimized.

Material table (examples)
Material | D170 | D176 | D180 | D185 | IT170 | IT176 | IT180
Modulus of elasticity E [GPa] | 340 | 360 | 380 | 385 | 330 | 350 | 360

Notes
Balancing weights are used as counterweights, dampers and absorbers in drive trains and other applications where weight must be concentrated in a small volume.

Technical characteristics / specifications

• Maximum density: up to 18.8 g/cm3
• Material groups: Densimet® (tungsten-based heavy-metal composites) and Inermet® (non-magnetic variants)
• Tungsten content: > 90% (typical)
• Binders: nickel-iron or nickel-copper (liquid-phase sintering)
• Typical mechanical properties (examples): modulus of elasticity E ~330–385 GPa depending on grade
• Production methods: powder metallurgy, liquid-phase sintering, machining of sintered blanks; capable of small lots and mass production
• Typical part types: crankshaft/balance-shaft weights, oscillating weights, vibration weights, damper/absorber components
• Recyclability: materials are recyclable