Introduction
The chemical element tungsten, commonly known as wolfram, is a Group 6 hard metal of extraordinary strength used in lamp filaments and steel to provide hardness and strength. The heaviest metal with a recognised biological function is tungsten. Few microorganisms use tungsten for the conversion of carboxylic acids to aldehydes.
At room temperature, tungsten is a solid, glossy metal that is greyish-white. Of all the metals, tungsten has the greatest melting point and the lowest vapour pressure. It has remarkable resistance to corrosion, and most mineral acids only partially degrade it. Chemical processes are used to separate tungsten from rock.
Tungsten in the Lightning Bulb
Uses of Tungsten
Here’s the tungsten uses list:
Everyday uses of tungsten deal with the production of special alloys, filament wire for lighting, mobile phone handsets, drilling and cutting machinery, electrical appliances, chemical applications, and many other products that use tungsten as an ingredient.
Most tungsten is used to create hard metals or cemented carbon steels.
The substance, which has a hardness close to the diamond, is most frequently utilised in its most common form, tungsten carbide. It has twice the hardness of any steel grade and is denser than steel and titanium. It also has extreme wear resistance.
A Tungsten Jewellery
Tungsten Uses in Industry
Jewellery: Tungsten carbide is utilised to create accessories, particularly rings, that are even relatively hard than metallic tungsten and maintain their gloss and shine for an extended period.
Alloys: Tungsten is mixed with other elements to improve its properties because of its exceptional hardness and effective heat resistance. The production of tungsten steel uses the majority of the metal that is produced.
Automotives: In the automotive industries, tungsten alloys are utilised for making rocket engine nozzles, turbine blades, etc. It is used to create alloys like high-speed steel.
Arc-Welding: Tungsten is used in arc welding with other conductive metals like copper, silver, and others. This is because of its high heat resistance capacity. Combining conductive metals produces the necessary conductivity, and tungsten gives the welding rod strength to withstand high temperatures.
Why is Tungsten Used for the Filament of Electric Lamps
To create the filaments for lamp bulbs, tungsten metal is chosen because it can withstand high temperatures, has a high melting point, and has high electrical resistivity.
Due to pure tungsten's high resistance and melting point, electric energy is converted into heat and light energy.
Why is Tungsten Used in x-ray Tubes?
Consequently, transmission X-ray tubes based on carbon molecules have attracted much interest. The target substance employed in the majority of these tubes is tungsten.
Tungsten is the target material in X-ray tubes due to its qualities, including its high atomic number and melting temperature.
The use of tungsten for this purpose illustrates the immense value concealed in the uncommon and the little elements. As metals become more approachable, there will undoubtedly be more examples of this kind.
Conclusion
Tungsten is the main alloying element in the steel used for tools and construction. Tungsten alloys are also utilised in various high-temperature applications, such as spacecraft, electrical circuits, welding, and computer chips. Due to its high melting point, tungsten is the ideal type for the target on x-ray tubes for general radiation. Compared to target materials with lower atomic numbers, tungsten's high atomic number enables the production of light waves more effectively.
FAQs on Uses of Tungsten
1. What is tungsten and what is its chemical symbol?
Tungsten is a dense, rare chemical element known for its remarkable strength and the highest melting point of all metals. Its chemical symbol is W, which originates from its German name, wolfram. Its atomic number is 74. Due to its unique properties, it is one of the most important metals in modern industry.
2. What are the five most common uses of tungsten?
Tungsten is highly valued for its extreme properties. Five of its most common uses include:
- Incandescent Light Bulb Filaments: Its high melting point allows it to glow white-hot without melting.
- Electrical Contacts: It is used in switches and relays due to its resistance to arc erosion.
- Heating Elements: Used in high-temperature electric furnaces.
- Alloys: It is mixed with steel to create high-speed steel, used for cutting tools and drill bits.
- Radiation Shielding: Its high density makes it excellent for blocking radiation in medical and industrial settings.
3. Why is tungsten's high melting point so important for its applications?
Tungsten's melting point of 3,422°C (6,192°F) is the highest of any metal. This property is critical because it allows tungsten to remain solid and stable at temperatures where most other metals would turn to liquid. This is essential for applications like filaments in light bulbs that must heat to incandescence, as well as for components in high-temperature furnaces, aerospace engines, and welding electrodes that operate under extreme heat.
4. In which major industries is tungsten most commonly used?
Tungsten's versatility makes it a key material across several major industries. The most prominent include the electronics industry (for filaments and contacts), the aerospace and defence industry (for high-density alloys in counterweights and projectiles), the automotive industry (for wear-resistant engine parts), and the manufacturing and construction industries (for tungsten carbide cutting tools and drill bits).
5. How is tungsten used in the military?
Due to its extreme density and hardness, tungsten plays a significant role in military applications. It is primarily used to make armour-piercing projectiles, where its high density helps it penetrate hardened targets. It is also used as a non-toxic and non-radioactive alternative to depleted uranium in tank armour and kinetic energy penetrators. Furthermore, its alloys are used for counterweights in missile and aircraft guidance systems.
6. What makes tungsten carbide so special for cutting tools?
Tungsten carbide (WC) is a compound of tungsten and carbon that is exceptionally hard, ranking just below diamond. What makes it special for cutting tools is its unique combination of extreme hardness, wear resistance, and high-temperature strength. This allows tools made from tungsten carbide to cut through steel and other tough materials at high speeds without losing their sharp edge, significantly increasing manufacturing efficiency and tool lifespan.
7. Is tungsten a rare element, and where is it found?
Yes, tungsten is considered a relatively rare metal. It is not found as a free element in nature. Instead, it is commercially extracted from minerals, primarily wolframite ((Fe,Mn)WO₄) and scheelite (CaWO₄). China is the world's largest producer of tungsten, accounting for over 80% of the global supply, which makes it a strategically important resource for many countries.
8. Can other metals be used instead of tungsten for its key applications?
Replacing tungsten in its key applications is extremely difficult due to its unique combination of properties. For high-temperature uses like filaments, no other metal has a higher melting point. For creating hardmetals, no other material provides the same balance of hardness, toughness, and cost-effectiveness as tungsten carbide. While other materials like molybdenum (another refractory metal) or ceramics can be used in some niche areas, tungsten remains indispensable for its primary, high-performance roles, making it a critical and strategic material.
