Tungsten is a versatile metal used in a wide range of applications, from lighting to defense and medical industries. Its high melting point, hardness, and resistance to wear and corrosion make it suitable for various uses, including filaments in light bulbs, electrodes in welding, high-speed tools, and armor-piercing ammunition.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of tungsten uses:
1. Lighting:
- Filaments:Tungsten's high melting point and resistance to vaporization at high temperatures make it ideal for filaments in incandescent light bulbs.
- X-ray tubes:Tungsten is used as a target material in X-ray tubes, where it generates X-rays when bombarded by electrons.
2. Industrial Applications:
- High-speed tools:Tungsten is a key component in high-speed steel, which is used to manufacture cutting tools for various industries.
- Welding:Tungsten electrodes are used in gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) due to their resistance to wear and high melting point.
- Superalloys:Tungsten is added to superalloys to enhance their resistance to wear and corrosion, making them suitable for high-temperature applications like turbine blades.
- Aerospace:Tungsten is used in aerospace components, such as nozzles, leading edges, and armor-piercing ammunition.
3. Other Applications:
- Medical:Tungsten alloys are used in radiation shielding for X-ray machines and medical instruments, according to Mi-Tech Tungsten Metals.
- Defense:Tungsten is used in armor-piercing ammunition and as a counterweight in aircraft.
- Electrical:Tungsten is used in electrical contacts, switches, and other components due to its high conductivity and resistance to arcing.
- Jewelry and sports:Tungsten is used in jewelry, golf clubs, darts, and fishing weights due to its high density and hardness.
- Catalysis:Tungsten compounds are used as catalysts in chemical reactions.