Tungsten | Metal information, properties, uses, and compounds

• Tungsten is considered the strongest natural metal in nature.

• High Melting Point: Tungsten has the highest melting point of any element, at approximately 3,422 degrees Celsius (6,192 degrees Fahrenheit). This exceptional property allows tungsten to remain solid at extremely high temperatures, making it ideal for applications in high-temperature environments, such as aerospace propulsion systems and high-temperature furnaces.

• Hardness: Pure tungsten is relatively soft, but when combined with other elements to form compounds like tungsten carbide (WC), it becomes extremely hard. Tungsten carbide is renowned for its hardness and is widely used in cutting tools, drill bits, and wear-resistant components.

• Ductility: Tungsten is relatively ductile, which means it can be drawn into thin wires without breaking. This property is crucial in the production of tungsten filaments for incandescent light bulbs and electron emission sources in electronic devices.

• Electrical Conductivity: Tungsten is an excellent electrical conductor, second only to silver and copper. Its high electrical conductivity makes it valuable for electrical contacts, heating elements, and other electrical applications.

• Thermal Conductivity: Tungsten exhibits relatively high thermal conductivity, which allows it to efficiently conduct heat. This property is essential in applications where heat dissipation or thermal management is crucial.

• Color and Luster: In its pure form, tungsten has a silver-white color and a shiny metallic luster. Its appearance makes it an attractive material for use in jewelry and other decorative items.

• Magnetic Properties: Tungsten is not inherently magnetic, meaning it is not attracted to magnets and does not possess significant magnetic properties. However, some tungsten alloys can be magnetic, depending on their composition.

• Crystal Structure: Tungsten has a body-centered cubic (BCC) crystal structure at room temperature, which contributes to its strength and stability.

• Density: Tungsten is one of the densest elements, with a density of approximately 19.3 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³). Its high density makes it suitable for use in counterweights, ballasts, and other applications where weight is a critical factor.

• Oxidation States: Tungsten can form a range of oxidation states, from +2 to +6. The +6 oxidation state is the most common and stable, leading to the formation of tungsten compounds like tungsten trioxide (WO3) and tungsten hexafluoride (WF6).

• Corrosion Resistance: Tungsten exhibits excellent resistance to corrosion, which allows it to maintain its structural integrity even in harsh environments. This property makes it valuable for use in chemical processing, where it can resist attack by corrosive substances.

• Complex Formation: Tungsten forms complexes with various ligands due to its ability to accommodate a wide range of coordination numbers. These complexes have diverse applications in catalysis and analytical chemistry.

• Refractory Properties: As a refractory metal, tungsten remains stable and retains its strength at high temperatures. This property makes it suitable for applications such as heating elements, electrical contacts, and aerospace components.

• Solubility: Tungsten is not highly soluble in most common acids and bases. However, it can dissolve in molten alkaline solutions, enabling its purification and separation from other metals during processing.

• Radioactivity: Although the majority of tungsten isotopes are stable, there are some radioactive isotopes, such as tungsten-185, which undergo radioactive decay.

Tungsten alloys

Tungsten compounds