What Is Tungsten?

Where is tungsten on the periodic table?

Tungsten has atomic number 74, the symbol W (from the German Wolfram), and sits in group 6 of the periodic table among the transition metals, alongside chromium and molybdenum. Its atomic mass is about 183.8. Five isotopes occur naturally, with W-184 being most common at 30.6%. Tungsten was discovered in 1781 by Carl Wilhelm Scheele as tungstic acid, then isolated as the pure metal in 1783 by the Spanish brothers Juan José and Fausto Elhuyar. The name comes from the Swedish for 'heavy stone,' while the symbol W comes from wolframite, one of the main ores.

Why does tungsten have the highest melting point?

Tungsten melts at 3,422°C, the highest of any element except carbon in some specialized forms. The boiling point is 5,930°C, also among the highest known. This extreme heat resistance comes from very strong metallic bonds between tungsten atoms in the crystal structure. The atomic arrangement and bonding strength make it extraordinarily difficult to disrupt enough atoms to cause melting. Tungsten retains useful mechanical strength at temperatures where most metals would have long since melted or oxidized away. Only carbon arc lamps and a few exotic ceramics work hotter than tungsten.

What are the properties of tungsten?

Tungsten is one of the densest elements at 19.25 g/cm³, similar to gold. It's hard but brittle in pure form, which is why most applications use alloys or sintered powder metallurgy. The metal has the lowest vapor pressure of any metal at high temperatures, which is why it works as a light bulb filament. Tungsten is highly resistant to most acids, though hot alkaline solutions attack it. It's paramagnetic and conducts electricity moderately well. Pure tungsten is silvery-gray, and the metal is often mistaken for stainless steel in appearance.

What is tungsten used for?

Cutting tools and drill bits use tungsten carbide, an extremely hard ceramic that maintains sharpness at high cutting speeds and temperatures. About 60% of all tungsten goes into tungsten carbide tools. Light bulb filaments historically consumed enormous amounts of tungsten because of its high melting point and low vapor pressure, though LEDs have largely replaced incandescent bulbs. X-ray tubes use tungsten anodes because they tolerate the heat of focused electron beams. High-density military penetrators use tungsten as a denser, less politically problematic alternative to depleted uranium. Tungsten weights balance race car suspensions.