In its pure form, tungsten exhibits a melting point of 3422 °C, which is the highest of all metals, and the lowest degree of thermal expansion. Moreover, it has a very high density of 19.3 g/cm³ and a very low vapor pressure, with a high degree of ductility and mechanical strength. Its boiling point is 5900 °C, which is roughly the temperature of the sun’s surface.
Applications of Tungsten
With the unique combination of superlative physical and chemical properties, tungsten has found use in several industries. The most important application of tungsten is tungsten carbide powders whose very high degree of resistance and hardness make it well suitable for cutting and boring tools that must tolerate extreme stress. Components fabricated from tungsten and tungsten alloys are employed as counterweights in helicopters and airplanes thanks to the high density of tungsten.
Since tungsten is hard and heavy, it replaces lead as radiation protection in oil and gas drill logging equipment, x-ray devices, nuclear medicine source containers and medical measuring instruments. Tungsten-copper compound materials are used as high-performance switching electrodes and switching contacts in the electronics industry. Moreover, tungsten chemicals such as tungstates serve a key element of catalysts utilized in crude oil processing.
Tungsten Products from H.C. Starck Solutions
H.C. Starck Solutions has been processing tungsten since 1889. Building on it's over a century old experience in industrial tungsten production, the company has gained expertise in technical application which it used in the manufacturing of tailored tungsten products for customer benefits. H.C. Starck Solutions is able to meet specific customer requirements with regard to particle size, grain, surface, consistency and condition of the components.
H.C. Starck Solutions is characterized by customer orientation, technical application expertise, consistently high product quality, and assured material availability. With sophisticated systems and processes, the company fabricates many different tungsten products, such as tungsten components and powders, which can be precisely tailored to meet any specific customer requirement. Moreover, H.C. Starck Solutions can recover pure tungsten from virtually any kind of tungsten containing production remnants or scrap, thanks to its sophisticated tungsten recycling processes.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by H.C. Starck Solutions.
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