Aluminized Steel
Aluminized steels are steels that have been hot-dip coated with pure aluminum or aluminum-silicon alloys. This hot-dip coating process is termed hot-dip aluminizing (HAD)...
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This article will take an in-depth look at Tungsten metal.
The article will look at topics such as:
This chapter will discuss what Tungsten metal is, its occurrence, its production, and properties of Tungsten metal.
Tungsten is an abundant tin white or steel gray metal that is known to be one of the toughest metals on earth. It has exceptional tensile strength and resistance to high temperatures with a melting point of 6191°F or 3421.7°C with a boiling point of 10220°F or 5660°C. Tungsten has an atomic number of 74 and is part of the transition metal group on the periodic table.
Tungsten is a naturally occurring element that is found in minerals wolframite and scheelite. Wolframite is an iron manganese tungstate with the chemical composition of (FeMn)WO4 and is a solid solution of the two minerals which are ferberite (FeWO4) and hubnerite MnWO4 and scheelite is calcium tungstate (CaWO4). Some other tungsten minerals vary in their level of occurrence and abundance from semi moderate to very rare and have nearly no economic value.
The following are some of the terms that are associated with the tungsten metal, uses and other description of tungsten alloys.
An alloy refers to the result of the mixture between two or more homogeneous elements or metals. This is done to share the attributes of one metal with the other so that we can obtain the best of both. Common alloys of tungsten are tungsten carbide (tungsten and carbon), Hastelloy (nickel, chrome, molybdenum and tungsten) and some tungsten nickel alloys just to mention a few.
Brittle means that it is easily broken down when man handled or put under great stress. Tungsten metal is very easy to fracture when put under stress and therefore it is mixed with other metals to obtain their non brittle characteristics. Mixing tungsten with carbon makes it significantly stronger and allows it to be used in some areas where it would not have been used on its own.
A filament is a tiny metal wire that is used in light bulbs. It is able to convert electric energy to light energy and still be able to withstand the very high temperature without failing or melting.
The melting point of tungsten refers to the temperature at which tungsten will turn from being a solid to a liquid. Tungsten has a very high melting point of 3 422°C or 6 192 Fahrenheits.
A super alloy refers to a metal that has very good properties in terms of tensile strength, corrosion resistance and high melting points.
In the field of engineering, this refers to the point at which a metal fails due to applied stress or pressure.
This is the other name used to refer to tungsten. This name is derived from its ore name (wolframite ore) and it is the main source of tungsten.
The properties of Tungsten include:
Tungsten is located in the transitional group of the chemistry periodic table and has oxidation states of + 2, + 3, + 4, + 5, and + 6. It has an atomic number of 74 and a relative atomic mass of 183.84. Tungsten is a solid at room temperatures because of a stable isometric crystal formation which can be seen under an x-ray.
Tungsten is very resistant to corrosion by acids and is only vulnerable to nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid. Also, it can be weakened by alkaline oxidizing melts like potassium nitrate or sodium hydroxide. Tungsten is very resistant to corrosion but will combine with oxygen readily at very high temperatures to produce trioxides.
Naturally, the metal is a mixture of 5 stable isotopes namely tungsten-180, tungsten-182, tungsten-183, tungsten-184, and tungsten-186 which have a percentage composition of 0.12%, 26.5%, 14.3%, 30.6% and 28.4% respectively.
Tungsten in its purest form is a shiny white metal that can easily be processed. It does however contain traces of oxygen and carbon within its chemical composition and this makes it very brittle when put under tremendous stress and force.
Tungsten is the heaviest known engineering metal and has a very high density (19.25 g/cm³). This is due to its dense crystal formation. It has a very high melting point of 3 140°C and a boiling point high at 5 700°C. tungsten has the lowest vapor pressure of all metals and has the highest elasticity modulus of all metals at 400 GPa.
It also has a very low thermal expansion coefficient of 4.4×10-6mm°C which is about the same as that of borosilicate glass and this is why it is used for glass metal seals.Tungsten is also environmentally friendly and does not decompose or breakdown easily.
Since tungsten is a metal, it has all the common properties of all metals. It is a very good electrical conductor due to the presence of localized electrons. Furthermore, tungsten is an excellent thermal conductor. This means it can transmit heat energy throughout its whole structure. All alloys of tungsten also are good electrical and thermal conductors and this makes them very useful in electrical applications.
Tungsten is also a unique metal that is corrosion resistant. Despite the excellent properties it has, tungsten is a very brittle metal in its original state and it can only be worked with if it is combined with other metals and forms a stronger alloy.
Tungsten is extracted and purified from its ore in several stages. The ore is eventually turned into tungsten (VI) oxide (WO3) which is then heated up with a hydrogen or carbon fuel to produce a powdered form of tungsten. The tungsten can not be molded into ingots because it has a very high melting point and melting is rather not commercially feasible.
The powdered tungsten is therefore prepared by mixing it with small amounts of nickel or other precious metals and it is sintered. During the sintering procedure the nickel diffuses and forms a tungsten alloy.
Tungsten can be extracted by hydrogen in the reduction of tungsten fluoride (WF6)
WF6 + 3H2 → W + 6HF
To manufacture tungsten products, the manufactures start by sintering and at times molding the created tungsten alloys into billets of solid blocks or bars. These billets are then fabricated into tungsten foils, tungsten bars, tungsten plates, or tungsten sheets. This is done by grounding, drawing, die cutting, or molding. Some of its products require further processing.
Most tungsten products are sold for usage in three different conditions namely black, a form which retains its coating of lubricant, and oxide. The other form is the cleaned form in which the coating has been removed with the use of various chemicals. Lastly there is ground form in which the metal has been fortified with diamond silicon carbide machinery to remove the coating and obtain a specific smoothness and a desired diameter.
Materials made out of tungsten can be used to make a variety of products ranging from tungsten electrodes, mineral drilling equipment, light bulbs, industrial machinery components, home tools, military weapons, material coating (boats), X-ray screens, and some common construction equipment.
Alloys of tungsten play an important function in the armaments manufacturing and creation of very reliable heat sinks for the dissipation of heat energy. Turbine blades are also a common alloy that contain tungsten. Tungsten is also common in the manufacture of heavy equipment like weights and ballasts used in the gyms.
Tungsten is resistant to corrosion and therefore is ideal in the manufacture of tools and helps them last longer without tarnishing or losing its value. Tungsten is also used in industries to make tungsten electrodes. They are ideal for this purpose because of their resistance to very high temperatures and can withstand being used in water without rusting or tarnishing.
Tungsten is also used in the manufacture of welding equipment where it is used to transmit large amounts of voltage and electric current to two separate sheets of metal. Other common uses are in electric discharge machines and tungsten gas arc welding.
Tungsten has 5 main alloys and these are alloyed tungsten, cemented carbide, tungsten carbide, tungsten-based chemicals, and pure tungsten. The alloys of tungsten are categorized into classes of nominal tungsten weight and the alloy’s ultimate tensile strength.
Tungsten carbide is a combination of tungsten and carbon at a 1 to 1 ratio. It is a fine gray powder that is processed into other forms and useful materials. Tungsten carbide is an extremely strong alloy that is capable of enduring exposure to chemicals like acids, alkalis, and the effects of oxygen and water. It has twice the strength of high-grade steel and is denser than titanium or steel. There are over 20 grades of tungsten carbide powder, which vary according to their grain size, tensile strength, hardness and melting points.
The manufacturing of tungsten carbide includes sintering and pressing tungsten carbide powder into strong and durable products, tools, and parts. Due to its high strength, tungsten carbide is very useful in the mining industry, construction sites, and metalworking. Statistically 60% of all tungsten carbide alloys are made solely for these industries.
Tungsten carbide is widely used in tool manufacturing where it is simply referred to as carbide and used to produce the cutting edges of tools like saws and drill bits. In CNC machining, tungsten carbide is an essential part of the process for shaping and forming programmed parts and components. Unlike hand tools, tungsten carbide tools for CNC machining have the complete tool made of tungsten carbide due to the rigors and stress that CNC machining places on its tools. Its use gives CNC machining tools a longer useful life.
This alloy is extremely strong and resists wearing due to other chemicals like acids, alkalis, and even the gradual effects of oxygen and water on metals the compound is twice as strong as high-grade steel and is much denser than titanium or steel. There are up to 20 varieties of tungsten carbide powder grades with varying grain sizes, tensile strength, hardness and melting points for different uses.
Tungsten is sintered and pressed into all these kinds of strong and durable products, tools, and parts. Due to its high strength, tungsten carbide is very useful in the mining industry, construction sites, and metalworking. Statistically 60% of all tungsten carbide alloys are made solely for these industries.
Tungsten carbide alloy is prepared by reacting tungsten with carbon at a very high temperature range of about 1,400 – 2,000°C. Another technique is using a low temperature fluid bed process in which tungsten metal or blue tungsten oxide (WO3) is reacted with carbon dioxide or a carbon monoxide mixture and hydrogen at a temperature of 900 to 1,200°C.
There are some other chemical vapor methods that have been discovered and these are as follows:
Tungsten hexachloride is reacted with hydrogen as a reducing agent and methane as the source of carbon at a steady temperature of 670°C.
WCl6 + H2 + CH4 → WC + 6HCl
Tungsten hexafluoride is also reacted with hydrogen as a reducing agent and methanol as a source of carbon at a temperature of 350°C.
WF6 + 2H2 + CH3OH → WC + 6HF + H2O
Tungsten carbide has a macrocrystalline type formation that provides it with its strong and tough nature compared to other alloys of tungsten. Tungsten carbide has a lower melting point due to the addition of carbon to tungsten. The alloy is very resistant to acids but readily reacts with some elements at elevated temperatures.
Tungsten carbide is hard and tough and it ranks to 9 on the Mohs scale of hard metals. It has an impressive tensile strength and a favorable compression strength. Tungsten carbide does conduct electricity though not as well as other materials.
Tungsten carbide is used in the manufacture of cutting and drilling tools because it is very abrasive and resistant to high temperatures. The alloy makes impressive cutting-edge tools that maintain their sharp edges better than steel tools and therefore are favorable.
Another application is ammunition. Tungsten carbide compounds are used in the manufacture of armor piercing rounds. Since the alloy is very tough it is used in the manufacture of heavy grade ammunition rounds capable of piercing through the hardest of surfaces like tanks and retreat bunks.
Mining and drilling through hard surfaces is another common use for the alloy. Tungsten carbide is used in the manufacture of rock drill bits, roller cutters, plow chisels, and tunnel boring machinery.
The alloy is also used as an effective neutron reflector in the nuclear industries. Furthermore, carbide tips are used in sporting gear. Racing shoe studs and trekking poles are made from the alloy. Surgical instruments and some jewelry are made from tungsten carbide because of its high resistance to corrosion.
Inhalation of carbide dust is a serious health concern as it leads to pulmonary diseases like fibrosis.
This is one of the most common alloys of tungsten. It is a tungsten carbide alloy alloyed further with cobalt which is used as a binder which forms the cement. Cobalt strengthens tungsten and counteracts its tendency of being brittle under high pressure and thereby allowing it to be used in critical structural applications.
Cemented carbides are typically a metallic matrix composition with the carbide atoms acting as the aggregate and with the metal binder acting as the matrix. Its structure is comparable to that of a grinding wheel with smaller abrasive particles.
Hot isostatic pressing is the process of combining the carbide particles with the binder. The binder is made of a liquid and the carbide grains remain solid since it has a much higher melting point. The final product is a matrix composition with distinct material properties.
The thermal expansion of cemented carbide varies with the amount of cobalt used as a metal binder. Basically, it increases with the increase in cobalt percentage.
Cemented carbide is used as inserts for metal cutting tools. Due to its reinforced structure, cemented carbide is less prone to vibrations and therefore plays an important role in boring and threading equipment.
Cutting tools are known to wear off with time and therefore are coated to extend their lifespan. Five such coatings used are titanium aluminum-nitride, titanium nitride, titanium carbide-nitride, titanium carbide, and aluminum titanium-nitride. The tungsten alloys are used to coat cutting so they last longer in their usage.
Mining and tunneling equipment are usually fitted with cemented carbide tips and they are commonly known as bottom bits. This makes all drilling and digging machinery made from cemented carbide very ideal to be used world wide. Another application is in the manufacture of hot rolls and cold rolls which are used in milling companies. Industrial pump pistons for high performance pumps like in nuclear sites also use this alloy.
Alloyed tungsten is a general term that refers to the various alloys made by mixing tungsten with different types of metals. Common examples are copper and iron alloys. The various alloys are useful in both industrial and commercial applications. Tungsten nickel iron is an example of the alloys of tungsten. Nickel adds density, improves strength and improves ductility of the new metal alloy. Tungsten nickel copper is another viable alloy of tungsten that has some unique abilities. The presence of copper in an alloy substantially makes the new alloy non-magnetic. This therefore creates a very strong metal that has no magnetic properties. It is very important for oncology systems and tasks where shielding of electrical sensors is key.
Copper containing alloys of tungsten is uniquely non magnetic. The alloys have a low tensile strength of about 500 to 700 MPa and a decreased ductility. Despite having great strength, the alloy is used as a conductor in the manufacturing of heating coils.
Tungsten alloys with copper are used mainly in manufacturing heating coils because of their tough resistance to high temperatures. Water geysers, kettles, ovens, and some stove plates are made from the alloy.
Heavy metal tungsten alloys contain very little amounts of the other metal added to tungsten. Usually the tungsten has a percentage composition of up to 90%. A typical example of such an alloy is when a small amount of thorium oxide, about 2%, is added. Thorium oxide enhances the thermionic electron transmission.
In its purest form, tungsten is an extremely good electrical conductor and is primarily used in electrical applications. In electronics, pure tungsten is used as a connecting medium for components on a circuit panel.
Tungsten can also be used to make pigment phosphorus, organic dyes, and x-ray screens.
It is a tungstic acid and is yellow and is a fine-grained powder with thin grain sizes. It is a very reactive chemical and has a very high chemical purity. It is used mainly as a sintering improver in extremely high temperature ceramics.
This is a chemical known as sodium tungstate dihydrate. It is a white and crystalline powder with a very high chemical purity and dissolves without leaving residues in water.
Another tungsten based chemical is ammonium metatungstate and is a white crystalline powder that is able to dissolve in water and not leave any residues in the water.
Tungsten trioxide is a yellow and often green powder that has a very high purity and ultra-fine crystals.
This is a tungsten carbide chemical. It is a black and fine-grained powder. It is commonly used for producing a suspension so as to increase the density of SPT-3.
Tungsten was first discovered in 1783 through charcoal reduction of the oxide found in wolframite. It has been used for centuries in various forms as part of the manufacture of porcelain for making pottery. In many countries, it is referred to as wolfram instead of tungsten. The term tungsten comes from Swedish meaning "heavy stone". Wolframite is from the German words "wolf rahm" meaning "wolf cream".
Tungsten is used as a base and alloying element with the alloy tungsten carbide being its most common form. Scheelite and wolframite are two important tungsten minerals. The initial modern use of tungsten was as light bulb filament material, which is still popular today.
Tungsten carbide is a compound that contains equal parts of tungsten atoms and carbide atoms. It is a gray powder that is compressed and shaped through sintering for use in equipment, cutting tools, abrasives, armor piercing shells, and jewelry. As with tungsten, tungsten carbide has a high melting temperature of 5200°F or 2870°C with a boiling point of 10830°F or 6000°C.
The two types of tungsten carbide compounds are tungsten carbide(WC) and tungsten semicarbazide (W2C). Additionally, two other categories of tungsten carbide are a-WC and ß-WC with a-WC having a hexagonal form and ß-WC having a cubic high temperature form.
Over the centuries, the popularity of tungsten has steadily grown due to its high temperature resistance, low vapor pressure, melting point, stiffness, conductivity, and density. It is commonly alloyed with nickel, copper, and iron to produce a malleable microstructure with improved machinability and ductility but maintaining and retaining tungsten’s outstanding properties. The addition of tungsten to any metal enhances the quality of the alloy due to tungsten’s strength and rigidity.
Tungsten is the second hardest thing on earth but is brittle in its natural state, which makes it difficult to work. The pure crystalline form of tungsten can be easily cut due to its ductility but is very expensive and only used for special projects. It is normally heated to improve its ductility and workability.
The powder form of tungsten is the raw material for processing tungsten products and alloys. It is made into wire, rods, tubes, plates, and various shapes. Tungsten powder is mixed with other metal powders, such as molybdenum, rhenium, copper, and high density tungsten. When it is produced as tungsten carbide powder, it is used to produce hard alloy tools. Although tungsten powder has many uses, it has to be handled with care since it can spontaneously ignite in the open air.
Several methods are used to produce tungsten carbide by combining tungsten powder with carbon powder. One method is to produce a chemical reaction between the metals by heating the powders to temperatures of over 2200°C. The high temperature carburization produces stoichiometric one tungsten atom to one carbon atom in crystal sizes of 100 µ or larger.
The resulting WC alloy from the combining process is more rigid than steel with superior compression strength. WC is a very stable alloy that is resistant to deformation in extremes of temperature, hot or cold. In monocarbide form, WC has a hardness that is comparable to diamonds with resistance to galling, abrasions, and impact. Since it is resistant to thermal shock, it is capable of enduring rapid changes in temperature, which makes it 100 times more durable in extreme conditions than steel.
When tungsten carbide is combined with a binder, such as nickel or cobalt, it forms a "cermet" or ceramic metal. The resultant mixture is a tough material capable of withstanding cutting, oxidation, high temperatures, and extreme wear with a density of 15.7g/cm³. These qualities make it difficult to machine, which can only be done using a diamond coated bit since most other bits are made from tungsten carbide.
The elastic modulus, or Young’s modulus, of a metal is a measure of its stiffness or rigidity. For comparison, magnesium has an elastic modulus of 45 gigapascals (GPa) while tungsten has an elastic modulus of 407 GPa. When tungsten is combined with carbon to make tungsten carbide, the alloy has an elastic modulus of 600 GPa, a hardness that is just behind diamonds that have an elastic modulus of 1000 GPa.
Another measure of rigidity is the shear modulus or modulus of rigidity, which is the coefficient for shearing or torsion force and is the ratio of shear stress to shear strain. The shear modulus for tungsten is twice as high as steel at 161 GPa, while steel has a GPa of 80. Tungsten carbide has a shear modulus much greater than steel or tungsten at 274 GPa.
Since tungsten and tungsten carbide are very rigid and stiff, they are brittle and not designed for high tension applications. Brittle materials perform much better in compression. Tungsten carbide has a compressive strength of 2683 MPa at room temperature and retains its strength regardless of alterations to the temperature. Steel, on the other hand, has poor compressive strength and changes in accordance with changes in temperature.
In applications where there is heat generated by friction or electricity, metals will change their thermal conductivity values since high temperatures change their properties. Tungsten has a very stable temperature and is unaffected by temperature changes, which makes it ideal for use as filaments, tubes, and heating coils. When placed under thermal stress, it keeps its properties making it useful for a wide range of applications.
Of the many characteristics and properties of tungsten carbide, hardness is its most outstanding one. Having high hardness means that a material is resistant to surface changes due to scrapes, pitting, scratches, and abrasions. To determine the hardness of material, it is given an indentation test where a small sphere or indenter is forced against a material.
Of the various types of hardness scales, the Rockwell scale is the most widely accepted. For testing of tungsten carbide, the Rockwell A scale is used, which is reserved for metals with high hardness. The indenter for the Rockwell A scale is a diamond that is pressed against the metal. The hardness of tungsten carbide measured on the Rockwell A scale is 94 HRA, a factor that makes tungsten carbide capable of cutting through hardened steel.
As with all forms of metal, tungsten comes in various forms and shapes for ease of shipping and to fit the needs of customers. Tungsten forms include bars, sheets, and foil that are created from the process of extracting tungsten from its ore. The forms of tungsten include its alloys with each alloy produced for a different application and process.
Tungsten bars are made of 99.9% pure tungsten powder that has been shaped into various configurations. Regardless of their shape, tungsten bars have all of the properties of tungsten including its density and resistance to the effects of high temperatures. When alloyed with other metals, tungsten bars come with six different alloys and can be custom formulated for special applications.
As one of the rare metals on the earth’s crust, tungsten has a density that is similar to gold and is 1.7 denser than lead. Pure tungsten bar can be difficult to work due to its extremely high melting point of 3422o C (6191.6o F). The strength of tungsten bar is its ability to maintain its stability under all conditions including exposure to water, air, or sulfuric acid. When exposed to the atmosphere, it oxidizes.
Tungsten bar is made using powder metallurgy where tungsten ore is reduced to a fine powder that undergoes a chemical process to produce tungsten oxide. A heating process separates tungsten from its oxide to form pure tungsten that is pressed into a mold. After the bars have shaped, they are sintered to further bind the metal powder.
After processing, the bars are shipped to manufacturers to produce cathodes, wire, pins, electrodes, as stainless steel additives, and heating elements. The goal of producers is to provide tungsten in the correct form to match customer requirements.
Tungsten foil is a thin, smooth metal foil with a black metallic sheen that is made from cold or hot rolling tungsten sheets to reach the desired thickness. The manufacture of tungsten foil begins with tungsten bars that are cold or hot rolled to form flat tungsten sheets, which are further processed to form tungsten foil. Vacuum annealing furnaces are included in the process to fortify the tungsten.
Stamped and drawn tungsten foil is used for high temperature applications such as heat shielding, heating elements, and furnaces. It is used in semiconductors due to its low coefficient of thermal expansion and low electrical resistivity. The typical thickness of tungsten foil is between 0.05 mm (0.002 in) up to 1 mm (0.04 in) with a purity of 99.9%. It is available in widths of 100 mm up to 400 mm (4 in up to 16 in) in lengths of 400 mm (16 in) up to 1500 mm (59 in).
Tungsten foil is silver gray with a metallic luster, a melting point of 3410o C (6170o F), and density of 19.35g/cm3. It is used to manufacture electric light source parts, medical shields, current collectors for aluminum ion batteries, heating elements, and heat shields. Additionally, tungsten foil is used to make tungsten evaporation boat.
As with tungsten sheets and foil, tungsten plate is a flat piece of tungsten that is formed from tungsten powder. The process for manufacturing tungsten plate includes removing tungsten from its ore and grinding it into pure tungsten powder that is molded into plates using heat and pressure. Once formed, the plates are annealed to enhance their strength. Although tungsten plates are similar to tungsten sheets, they are differentiated by their thicknesses.
The processing of pure tungsten plate is difficult because of tungsten’s extremely high melting point. Each of the factors of processing have to be strictly controlled to avoid damaging the plates. When rolling tungsten plate, manufacturers have to heat the rollers in accordance with the rolling conditions.
Tungsten plate comes in various sizes and thicknesses with most plates being cast. The thicknesses of tungsten plate begin at 6.35mm (0.25 in) with custom thicknesses available to meet the needs of special applications. Tungsten plate is a common method used to ship tungsten due to its convenient size and ease of handling.
The many industries that rely on the properties of tungsten plate include aerospace, construction, and electronics. Tungsten plate is formed into turbine blades for generators and aircraft engine parts due to its high melting point and exceptional strength. It is processed to make radiation protection materials due to its density, radiation absorption, and corrosion resistance.
Tungsten rods are extruded cylindrical rods that come in varying lengths depending on their planned use. They can have different diameters, shapes, sizes, and grades of tungsten. The wide use of tungsten rods is due to their exceptional strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion. The different types of tungsten rods are machined, ground, and formed to produce a wide assortment of parts and products.
As with all forms of metal rods, tungsten rods come in several different shapes including round, square, rectangular, octagonal, hexagonal, and oval. Their shapes vary in accordance with the manufacturer and the purpose of the rods. The drawback to tungsten rods as raw materials is the difficulty in fabricating them into products due to tungsten’s high melting temperature.
Tungsten rods have many uses and are a critical part of engineering designs and industrial manufacturing. A common use for tungsten rods is as cutting tools, which is superior to cutting tools made of aluminum or steel. In medicine, tungsten has been perfected to be used as implants and in medical procedures that require exposure to extreme temperatures due to sterilization. The factor that makes tungsten rods the first choice for manufacturing, production, and industrial applications is its exceptional wear resistance, which makes it perfect for operations that require repeated use of a tool.
Tungsten sheet is a flattened form of tungsten that is thicker than foil and thinner than tungsten plate. It is made from slabs of tungsten produced by the refining process. Tungsten sheet is differentiated from foil and bars by its thickness, which can be between 1.5 mm up to 2.2 mm (0.06 in up to 0.09 inch). Tungsten that is thicker than 0.25 mm (0.1 in) is classified as tungsten plate.
The surface of tungsten sheet takes several forms including shiny, matte, satin, or rolled, depending on its thickness. The sheets are made by isostatically pressing and sintering high purity tungsten powder into ingots through the use of powder metallurgy. Prior to being finished, the ingots are deformed and heat treated until they reach the required finish.The blanks that are formed by the process are further processed by being hot or cold rolled into sheets.
As with tungsten plate and foil, tungsten sheets are valued for their protection against radiation and the manufacture of electronics, cables, and shipbuilding materials. A typical use for tungsten sheet is in specialty applications that can take advantage of its unique properties. The versatility tungsten sheet makes it more desirable than other high density metals such as lead, tantalum, and uranium with lead and uranium eliminated due to their toxic effects on organic life. Tantalum is a viable replacement for tungsten but is extremely expensive.
This chapter will discuss the applications and advantages of Tungsten metal.
Tungsten is widely used extensively for the manufacture of filaments for incandescent light bulbs. These bulbs are being phased out in most countries as they don’t conserve energy but rather produce more heat energy than light energy. A current is passed through the filament and the filament heats up brightly producing light. Due to its high resistance of high temperatures, the tungsten filament could withstand the heat energy produced and still be able to stay lit.
Some common practical applications of tungsten include manufacturing cutting tools. Tungsten can be made into cutting blades or have it alloyed with other elements like nickel, copper, or carbon to strengthen. Cutting tools made from tungsten or its alloys are very hard and having a very high melting point means that they can be used hours on end without melting or failing.
Another use of tungsten is for drilling and boring equipment. Drill bits and other heavy-duty earth boring machinery are made from the immensely hard metal. Dental drills are also tungsten-based. Cemented carbide is widely used for the manufacture of high speed tools like those in the mine refineries and other hard tools. Because it is a very tough metal, tungsten is also used in the manufacture of jewelry.
Calcium and magnesium tungstate are used in fluorescent lighting. Some catalysts make use of tungsten in the reduction of some complex compounds. Tungsten is also used in the manufacture of magnetrons that are found in microwave ovens. Cathode ray tubes found in those old model television sets make use of tungsten in their build. It is used because with time, the temperature increases inside the system and the tungsten will be able to withstand the high temperature.
Tungsten is also used in areas of applications that require a high density. Typical examples are manufacture of counter weights, ship anchors, tail ballasts for motor engines (rockets, airplanes, etc.).
Tungsten also has some useful military applications. For instance, it is used in manufacturing armor piercing ammunition. Taking advantage of its strong and hard nature, tungsten or its alloys at times is used in the manufacture of missiles, grenades, shells, large rounds meant to take out heavily fortified tanks, or bunks.
Tungsten (IV) sulfide is a lubricant that can withstand very high temperatures and is best used in high speed tools.
The advantages of using tungsten metal include:
Among all metals in their purest forms, tungsten has the highest melting point of 3,244°C. This means that it can be used in areas of high temperatures where other metals cannot be used.
Tungsten has a very high density at 19 g/cm³ due to its microcrystalline shape. This property makes it useful in areas that require mass in small sizes.
Of all pure metals, tungsten has the least coefficient of thermal expansion. Compared to steel, tungsten is very stable at high temperatures and does not alter its form or size.
Because of its conductive properties and general inertness, tungsten is mostly used in electrical appliances where there are very high levels of radiation. It is also a perfect metal that can be used as electrodes in the electrolysis of substances.
Tungsten is very resistant to corrosion and therefore can be used in a wide range of applications where corrosion is common. It can be used outdoors where water and acids are likely and still hold out its function. Common usage of the metal is in fishing lures and building ship bases and some jewelry.
Tungsten is a robust metal but it can be drawn into very thin wires without fracturing. A typical example are the bulb filaments which are heated to very high temperatures and still function.
Tungsten in its purest form, is a very fragile metal and can break easily. It cannot be stretched out, compressed or twisted and still hold up its form. This is mainly because of its rigid structure that makes it impossible to be worked about without failing.
Inhaling tungsten irritates the mucous membrane linings and the lungs. It is regarded as a very toxic compound which if left unchecked could pose serious harm to people and the environment.
Tungsten is a very precious metal and it does come with its fair share of expenses. Because of its unique characteristics, tungsten has significantly remained a pricy metal and an increasing demand makes it more expensive.
Tungsten is a heavy metal. This weight significantly makes it a very difficult metal to work with. For instance, tungsten jewelry is heavy to the extent that the wearer feels uncomfortable wearing it. Yet again, in situations where tungsten is used in the manufacture of earth boring equipment, transporting the machinery is expensive as it is difficult to transport such heavy equipment around.
Despite being a pricy metal, tungsten can not be returned back to its purchase value. Unlike gold which can be made into fancy bracelets and rings and then can be resold at a near similar purchased price, tungsten cannot be resold again.
When compared with other metals, Tungsten has the following applications and uses:
Manufacture of stronghold tools used for cutting and crushing is done using tungsten or other tungsten alloys. Steel does not remain useful over a long period of time. Steel tends to wear out and break when it's cutting tougher substances so therefore tungsten or tungsten alloys is the best choice for heavy duty tools.
Tungsten is a good electric conductor but is not favorable because of its expensive, heavy, and brittle characteristics. When it comes to conducting electricity copper and other metals like aluminum and steel.
When it comes to building material, tungsten is a hard and tough metal but this does not mean it is ideal in the construction industry. Tungsten is a brittle metal and therefore can not be depended upon for large structured buildings. It is wiser to use lightweight and strong metals like reinforced steel.
ATI produces a broad selection of metals from titanium to several varieties of tungsten. The metals produced by ATI are known for their high performance and excellent quality. Aside from its regular stock of standard metals, ATI also produces specialty metals to meet customer needs and industrial demand. The company has operated for over 25 years in the Dallas, Texas area where it processes tungsten.
Betek is a manufacturer of tungsten carbide tools, systems, and wear protection. The company produces high quality tools for industrial use and every type of application with each tool designed to perfectly match the needs of an application. Using this method, each tool has a longer useful life, which removes the need for tool changes. Although much of their efforts are concentrated on present needs, Betek is also looking to the future to provide innovations that can overcome changing demands and requirements.
Buffalo Tungsten manufactures tungsten and tungsten carbide in the highest quality powder form. The company produces fine, coarse, crystalline, ultra high purity, high density, low grade, and granulated tungsten. Buffalo Tungsten’s powder has a purity of 99% in particle sizes of 10 microns (µ) up to 50 µ. The company’s ultra high purity 5N, five nines, tungsten metal powder has a purity level of 99.999%. Betek offers extra processing to enhance the density, particle size, and flow characteristics of their tungsten powders.
Starck Solutions produces high quality tungsten chemicals, metal, and tungsten carbide. Their product catalog includes a range of tungsten products from tungstate to tungsten carbide in ultrafine and coarse grain sizes. Starck Solutions prides themselves on meeting the highest standards for the production of tungsten. Working with customers, the team at Starck Solutions develops innovative custom solutions to meet and exceed customer requirements.
Federal Carbide produces tungsten heavy alloy, tungsten carbide, tungsten carbide seal rings, and tungsten heavy metal alloy radiation shields. The company’s tungsten heavy alloy products are machinable blanks or produced as parts to customer requirements. The range of products covers the full spectrum of the tungsten market and includes engine parts, helicopter rotors, and firearms as well as golf club weights. Since tungsten carbide is the hardest man made metal, Federal Carbide works to provide it at the lowest possible cost and quick and easy delivery. Hard work and rapid response to customer needs is the foundation of Federal Carbide Co.’s goals.
In summary, tungsten is a naturally occurring metal found on earth. It is a very unique metal as it has a very substantial chemical structure. It has a very high melting and boiling point and is a very dense metal with an over the top weight and density. Despite all these excellent characteristics, tungsten is a very brittle metal and cannot be used as would other metals like copper and iron.
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