An earlier material, Eglin steel, ES-1, resolved these issues but the tungsten used in it was expensive, difficult to melt, and the resulting tungsten carbide particles made the material difficult to process in thick sections.
Unlike some other high-performance alloys, they can be welded easily, broadening the range of applications.
By varying the heat treatment to include water or liquid nitrogen quenching, or omitting the normalization heat-treat to permit work hardening, properties can be improved.
With an economical water quench, the yield at room temperature (tensile strength before deformation) is 194,600 psi (1341.7 MPa), ultimate strength (breaking point) is 250,100 psi (1724.3 MPa).
Also, a hydrogen bake-out might be required to assure high-quality welds.[1]: Col.
[1] The patent application for USAF-96 credits (Dr.) Rachel Ann Abrahams as inventor.