Residual porosity has a strong negative effect on the ductility of tungsten-nickel-iron heavy metals. This investigation examines the sintering atmosphere role in stabilizing detrimental residual pore structures. Two types of experiments are reported on alloys containing 93, 95, or 97 wt pct W with Ni:Fe ratios of 7:3. The negative effect of prolonged sintering is attributed to pore coarsening involving trapped gas in the pores. Calculated pore growth rates for hydrogen filled pores suggest that pore coarsening involves both ripening and coalescence driven by tungsten grain growth. The effect of the sintering atmosphere is analyzed for final stage pore elimination. It is demonstrated that a change in sintering atmosphere from hydrogen to argon midway through the sintering cycle can aid pore degassing and increase the sintered ductility and strength.