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History

The word, "tungsten" denotes a substance of high density, and is derived from the Swedish language, "tung", meaning "heavy," and "sten", meaning "stone." 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 1723.

General Information

Tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal, and at temperatures over 3410°C (6170°F), has the highest tensile strength. It has excellent corrosion resistance and is only attacked slightly by most mineral acids. Tungsten is extremely environmentally friendly.

Our Tungsten can now also be plated.

Main Tungsten Properties

Atomic Number	74
Atomic Weight	183.86
Maximum Density @ 20°C (68°F)	19.3 g/cc; 0.697 lb/cu.in.
Melting Point	3410°C (6170°F)
Linear Coefficient of Expansion	4.3 x 10E-6°C
Thermal Conductivity @ 20°C	0.40 cal/cm/°C/sec
Specific Heat @ 20°C	0.032 cal/g/°C
Electrical Conductivity	31% IACS
Tensile Strength @ Room Temp.	100,000 - 500,000 psi
Tensile Strength @ 500°C (932°F)	75,000 - 194,000 psi
Tensile Strength @ 1000°C (1832°F)	50,000 - 75,000 psi
Poisson's Ratio	0.284
Hardness (Mineral)	7.5
Hardness (Vickers)	3430
Hardness (Brinell)	2570

Applications

Tungsten has become an essential material for a wide variety of applications due to its high melting point and high density. Only gold, platinum, and a few other rare and expensive metals have similar densities.

Tungsten has many uses, but its two primary applications are as follows:

• As a raw material for the PM (Powder Metallurgy) industry, and
• As a filler used in the creation of high-density polymer/metal compounds.

Uses in the PM Industry

Tungsten is often alloyed with nickel, copper, and iron, creating a family of materials with extremely useful properties. These alloys are fabricated by powder metallurgical techniques and are routinely machined by conventional methods such as turning, milling, grinding, polishing, drilling and tapping.

Absorption of x-rays and gamma radiation is in direct proportion to the density of the shielding material. Some tungsten alloys are more than 1.5 times as effective as lead and provide extremely efficient protection; particularly where space is limited. Such applications include radioactive source containers, syringe covers for radioactive isotope injection, collimators and shielding blocks for high-energy cancer therapy machines, and shields for oil well logging instrumentation.

Twice as heavy as steel and more than 50% heavier than lead, tungsten high-density alloys have found wide acceptance where a concentrated mass is required in a limited space for such applications as counter weights. Tungsten has a large variety of other uses, some of which are listed below.

Summary of Tungsten Heavy Alloy Applications:

• Aerospace
• Medical & Industrial Radiation Shielding
• Weights and Counterbalances
• Recreational (golf clubs, racing)
• Boring bars, Grinding quills and End mill extensions
• Oil Well Logging
• Race Car Chassis Weight

Uses in the Plastic Industry

When Tungsten powder is mixed with suitable polymers, the process used offers many advantages:

• Duplicates the characteristics, look and feel of various metals
• Lowers part costs
• Eliminates the need for expensive machining
• Customizes color, possible plating and other finishes

• has a tap density of 11.0 to 12.0 g/cc
• is 99.98% pure tungsten (W)
• has a spherodized particle morphology
• constitutes fine fraction -325 mesh (30 microns) and/or
• constitutes coarse fraction +325 - 140 mesh (30 - 106 microns)

Tungsten Heavy Powder, Inc. is the manufacturer of special tungsten powders made from sintered tungsten parts.