Application field of tungsten

Tungsten also known as wolfram, is a chemical element with the symbol of W and the atomic number is 74. It is a unique metal that has a wide range of applicability in modern technology. Tungsten metal is a hard and rare metal. It can only be found on earth in chemical compounds. Most of its chemical compounds are tungsten oxide and most of the tungsten mines were found in China. Especially in Hunan and Jiangxi provinces. Because of its high melting point, high hardness, excellent corrosion resistance, good electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity, it has become one of the most important functional materials in modern industry. It is widely used in alloy, electronics, chemical, medical, and other fields.

1. In the field of Industrial alloys

Powder metallurgy is the way of producing tungsten sintered products. Tungsten powder is the most important raw material and the starting point of tungsten mineral products. Tungsten powder is made by roasting and heating tungsten oxide in a hydrogen atmosphere. Purity, oxygen, and particle size are very important for the preparation of tungsten powder. It can be mixed with other element powders to make a variety of tungsten alloys.

Tungsten carbide-based cemented carbide: 

Tungsten carbide is often used to mix with other metals to enhance its performance. The mixture metals include cobalt, titanium, iron, silver, and tantalum. The result is that tungsten carbide-based cemented carbide has higher wear resistance and higher refractory properties. They are mainly used in manufacturing cutting tools, mining tools, wire drawing dies, etc. Tungsten carbide-based cemented carbide products are preferred even over stainless steel because of their incredible hardness and resistance to wear and tear. It can be widely used in commercial construction applications, electronics, industrial gear making, radiation shielding materials, and the aeronautical industry.

Heat-resistant & wear-resistant alloy:

The melting point of tungsten is the highest among all metals, and its hardness is second only to diamond. So it is often used to produce heat-resistant and wear-resistant alloys. For example, Alloys of tungsten and other refractory metals(tantalum, molybdenum, hafnium) are often produced high-strength parts such as nozzles and engines for rockets. And alloys of tungsten, chromium, and carbon are commonly used to produce high-strength and wear-resistant parts, such as valves for aircraft engines, turbine wheels, etc.

2. In the field of chemical

Tungsten compounds are commonly used to produce certain types of paints, inks, lubricants, and catalysts. For example, bronze-colored tungsten oxide is used in painting, and calcium or magnesium tungsten is commonly used in phosphors.

3. In the field of military

Tungsten products have been used to replace lead and depleted uranium materials to make bullet warheads because of their non-toxic and environmental protection properties, so as to reduce the pollution of military materials to the ecological environment. In addition, tungsten can make the combat performance of military products superior because of its strong hardness and good high-temperature resistance.

Tungsten can be used not only in the above fields but also in navigation, atomic energy, shipbuilding, automobile industry, and other fields. If you are interested in tungsten or have any questions about it. Please contact us now.