Tungsten Overview
The word tungsten means “heavy stone” in Swedish. The chemical symbol for tungsten is W which stands for Wolfram. The name came from medieval German smelters who found that tin ores containing tungsten had a much lower yield. It was said that the tungsten devoured the tin “like a wolf”. Pure tungsten metal was first isolated by two Spanish chemists, the de Elhujar brothers in 1783.
Tungsten is a greyish-white lustrous metal, which is a solid at room temperature. Tungsten has the highest melting point and lowest vapor pressure of all metals, and at temperatures over 1650°C has the highest tensile strength. It has excellent corrosion resistance and is attacked only slightly by most mineral acids.
Tungsten Properties & Uses
Tungsten Advantages
Tungsten Advantages
- One of the most dense metals, with a density of 19.3 g/cc
- Highest melting point of all metals at 3410°C
- Lowest vapor pressure of all metals with 4.27Pa at 3410°C
- Highest tensile strength of all metals over 1650°C
Tungsten Applications
Tungsten Applications
- Useful for glass-to-metal seals since the thermal expansion is about the same as borosilicate glass
- Tungsten and its alloys are used extensively for filaments for electric lamps, electron and television tubes, and for metal evaporation work
- Electrical contact points for engine distributors
- X-ray targets
- Windings and heating elements for electrical furnaces
- Missile and high-temperature applications
- Tungsten mesh for high-temperature applications
- High-speed tool steels and many other alloys contain tungsten
- The carbide is important to the metal-working, mining, and petroleum industries
- Calcium and magnesium tungstates are widely used in fluorescent lighting
- Tungsten salts are used in the chemical and tanning industries
- Tungsten disulfide is a dry, high-temperature lubricant, stable to 500°C
- Tungsten bronzes and other tungsten compounds are used in paints
- TV tubes (electron tubes)
Tungsten Properties
Tungsten Properties
| Atomic Number | 74 |
| Atomic Weight | 183.86 |
| Group Number | 6 |
| Electron Configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d4 |
| CAS Registry Number | 7440-33-7 |
| Wire Atomic Volume” | 9.53 |
| Lattice Type | Body Centered Cube |
| Lattice Constant at 20C, Angstroms | 3.1585 |
| Natural Isotopes | 180, 182, 183, 184, 186 |
| Density at 20C (gm/cc) | 19.3 |
| Density at 20C (lb./cu. in.) | 0.697 |
| Melting Point C | 3410 |
| Boiling Point C | 5530 |
| Linear Coefficient of Expansion per C | 4.3 x 10E-6 |
| Thermal Conductivity at 20 C (cal/cm/C/sec) | 0.40 |
| Specific Heat @ 20 C (cal/gram/C) | 0.032 |
| Electronegativity (eV) Pauling | 2.36 |
| Electronegativity (eV) Sanderson | 0.98 |
| Electronegativity (eV) Alfred Rochow | 1.40 |
| Electronegativity Conductivity, % IACS | 31 |
| Electrical Resistivity @ 20C (microhm-cm) | 5.5 |
| Electrical Resistivity @ 227C (microhm-cm) | 10.5 |
| Electrical Resistivity @ 727C (microhm-cm) | 24.3 |
| Electrical Resistivity @ 1727C (microhm-cm) | 55.7 |
| Electrical Resistivity @ 2727C (microhm-cm) | 90.4 |
| Electrical Resistivity @ 3227 (microhm-cm) | 108.5 |
| Temperature Coefficient of Electrical Resistivity Per C (0-100 C) | 0.0046 |
| Tensile Strength @ Room Temperature, psi | 100,000 - 500,000 |
| Tensile Strength @ 500 C, psi | 75,000 - 200,000 |
| Tensile Strength @ 1000 C, psi | 50,000 - 75,000 |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.284 |
| Hardness (Mineral) | 7.5 |
| Hardness (Vickers) | 343 |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 2570 |
| Reflectivity | 62% |
| Total Emissivity @ 1500 C | 0.23 |
| Total Emissivity @ 2000 C | 0.28 |
| Working Temperature, C | <1700 |
| Recrystallization Temperature, C | 1300 - 1500 |
Custom Tungsten Solutions
While tungsten’s extreme hardness and high melting point make it notoriously difficult to machine, our experienced team specializes in taming this "unmachinable" metal. Using a combination of multi-axis CNC milling and advanced EDM drilling, we manufacture complex tungsten components to your exact prints with tolerances as tight as ±0.0005". Whether you need custom-sized raw materials or intricate finished parts, we deliver precision-engineered solutions with industry-leading speed.
Tungsten Resources
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Tungsten Costs
Ever wonder why tungsten pricing fluctuates? From its complex chemical refining process to global market trends and strategic stockpiling, there are many factors that influence the cost of this vital refractory metal.
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How Tungsten Wire is Made
Ever wonder how a brittle metal becomes a hair-thin wire? From pressing high-purity powder into sintered bars to swaging, drawing, and cleaning, explore the multi-step manufacturing process behind high-performance tungsten wire.
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Chemical Resistance of Tungsten
Need a metal that won't degrade under chemical exposure? Discover why tungsten’s natural corrosion resistance makes it a reliable choice when working with aggressive acids, molten metals, and extreme operating conditions.
