Tungsten is a metal with unique qualities that make it useful in many industries. Its high melting point, strength, and resistance to wear and prove useful for many practical applications. In this blog, we’ll look at the various ways tungsten is used today, from military grade equipment to super-heavy tungsten cubes. Lets start off with a pie chart to give you a rough idea of what tungsten is used for in industries today.
Tungsten in Electronics
Light Bulbs and Filaments
Tungsten is best known for its use in light bulb filaments. It has a very high melting point (3422°C or 6192°F), which means it can handle the heat produced by electricity without melting. This makes tungsten perfect for light bulbs, resistant to the heat produced even when shining brightly for a long time.
Image of tungsten filament used in incadescent lightbulbs, the filament is heated until it glows
Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) and X-ray Tubes
In older TV screens and computer monitors (CRTs), tungsten is used as an electrode because it can handle high temperatures and release electrons efficiently. In X-ray machines, tungsten targets are used to produce X-rays, which are crucial for medical imaging.
Semiconductors and Microelectronics
Tungsten is also important in making tiny electronic parts. It connects different parts of semiconductor devices due to its excellent conductivity and durability. This helps ensure that devices like computer chips work reliably and last longer.
Tungsten in manufacturing
Manufacturing and Machining
Tungsten is made from wolframite and scheelite and can be ground to a powder and used to make strong and durable tools, like cutting tools and drill bits. When heated and pressed together, it forms a hard material that can withstand heavy use and high temperatures.
3D Printing
Recently, tungsten powder has been used in 3D printing. Its strength and heat resistance make it ideal for creating parts for airplanes, defense equipment, and medical devices, where precision and durability are critical.
Catalysts in Chemical Reactions
Tungsten powder is also used to speed up chemical reactions. Its properties make it an effective catalyst for refining crude oil into fuels and other useful chemicals.
Image of standard tungsten powder, used from manufacturing and machining to 3D printing
What industries is tungsten used in?
Military and Defense
Pure tungsten is widely used in military equipment. Its high density makes it ideal for armor-piercing bullets and other heavy-duty munitions, ensuring they hit targets with maximum impact.
Image of armor-piercing bullets for rifle and handgun cartridges, each containing a tungsten or tungsten carbide penetrator encased within a copper or cupronickel jacket
Aerospace Applications
In the aerospace industry, pure tungsten is used as counterweights in aircraft and spacecraft. Its density allows for compact and efficient weights that help balance and stabilize these vehicles, improving their performance.
Medical Devices and Radiation Shielding
Pure tungsten is used in medical equipment and for shielding against radiation. Its high density helps protect patients and medical staff from harmful radiation during treatments and imaging procedures.
Tungsten use in everyday life
Cutting-Edge Technology
Tungsten is essential in modern technology. It's used in electronics, telecommunications, and renewable energy. For instance, in solar panels, tungsten helps improve efficiency and durability.
Jewellery and Fashion
Tungsten is popular in jewellery, especially tungsten carbide, a mix of tungsten and carbon. This material is very hard and scratch-resistant, making it ideal for rings, watches, and other accessories.
Sports and Recreation
In sports, tungsten is used to make high-performance equipment such as weights found in golf clubs, fishing lures, and darts to enhance accuracy and performance. Also, in motor and bicycle sports, tires for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles are fitted with tungsten carbide studs to deliver enhanced grip on icy surfaces. These studs are typically chosen over steel ones because they are more durable and resistant to wear.
Environmental and Energy Applications
Tungsten's role in energy and environmental applications is growing. It's being explored in advanced batteries to improve energy storage and efficiency. Additionally, tungsten is used in environmental cleanup processes, such as treating wastewater and reducing emissions.
Tungsten Cubes
Educational Tools
In schools, tungsten cubes are great for teaching. They help students learn about density, mass, and volume. Since tungsten is much denser than most materials, these cubes make it easy to compare the physical properties of different substances.
Research and Development
In research, tungsten cubes are useful for studying how materials behave. Their consistent size and weight make them perfect for experiments that need precise measurements. Scientists and engineers use these cubes to develop new materials and test ideas in physics and engineering.
Collectibles and Demonstrations
For collectors and enthusiasts, tungsten cubes are popular because of their unique properties. They are often used in demonstrations to show how dense and heavy tungsten is. These cubes are a tangible example of tungsten's remarkable characteristics, making them interesting conversation pieces and educational tools
Tungsten cube and corresponding box by Atomic Cubes, 97% tungsten density
