Is tungsten the right metal for my application?

Tungsten metal has a range of useful properties. It’s robust, resistant to corrosion, and it has the highest melting point of all refractory metals. But is it the right metal for your application? Before you commit to a purchase, it’s important to do your research first – perhaps contacting an industry-expert, such as Special Metals – to make sure you are choosing the right metal for the job.

5 common applications of tungsten metal

The potential uses for tungsten metal are very far-reaching. However, they can be broken down into five general categories. These include:

1. Cemented carbide

A large percentage of tungsten is used to produce a hard-metal, known as cemented carbide. Cemented carbide is created by combining tungsten carbide with a metallic alloy binder, such as cobalt or tantalum. It is incredibly strong, hard, and tough – and as a result, it is widely used to manufacture cutting and mining products, such as drill bits, milling cutters and high-speed tools.

2. Electronics

Thanks to its high melting point and low vapour pressure, tungsten metal is the perfect option for high-temperature applications. For example, it is often used as the filament in light bulbs, cathode-ray and vacuum tubes. Tungsten can also be found inside many electronic devices – where it is used as an interconnect material for integrated circuits – and it is one of the main sources for x-ray targets.

3. Chemical industry

Various chemical compounds can be made using tungsten metal (e.g. tungsten oxide, tungsten sulphide) and these compounds are suitable for a diverse range of applications. They are often used as part of a catalyst and are most common within the oil, mining, electronics and medical industry.

4. Alloys

Tungsten is frequently mixed with other refractory metals to form tungsten alloys or superalloys. Such alloys exhibit the same useful properties as tungsten. They also demonstrate excellent welding properties and, as a result, can be used to produce a broad spectrum of different products – including everything from high-quality playing darts to rocket engine nozzles and turbine blades.

5. Mill products

Due to the refractory properties of tungsten metal, it can be used to create a variety of milling products – such as those available here, at Special Metals. Our team of experts use a specialist metal fabrication process to create tungsten wire, bars, crucibles, sheets and billets. These parts are strong, durable and resistant to heat and can be used for a vast range of industrial applications.

Contact Special Metals today

If you would like to find out more about tungsten metal and its uses, please feel free to get in touch. Special Metals is one of the UK’s leading tungsten suppliers and, collectively, our team has over 120 years’ experience in this area. We can provide further information on this refractory metal (and others) and can advise on whether tungsten is the right metal for you and your application.

So why not give us a call today on +86-755-29936699? Alternatively, send an email to inquiry.mp@professionalmanufacturing.com and we will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible. We’re a fountain of knowledge when it comes to tungsten metal and we are always happy to help.

Posted on: Feb 28, 2019