Tungsten has the highest melting point of these refractory metals at 3422°C, the highest of any refractory metal we supply. The chemical element is very robust and has an extremely high tensile strength and high density, and it can be drawn into very thin wires. Tungsten’s corrosion resistance is also very good. That makes it an ideal material for high temperatures where other metals fail.
Tungsten supply & machining at Special Metals
We supply pure tungsten alloys as rods, sheets, wire, and precision-machined tungsten parts and fittings, as well as copper-tungsten parts.
Our team has over 75 years’ combined experience machining and welding tungsten metal to drawing. We offer same-day quotations and next-day delivery on machined parts, and every order is backed by our quality assurance procedures.
What is tungsten?
Tungsten is a chemical element with the chemical symbol W and atomic number 74. It’s a steel-grey, pure metal with an atomic weight of 183.84, and it sits in group 6 of the periodic table among the transition metals.
Where the name tungsten comes from
The name tungsten comes from the Swedish word tung sten, meaning “heavy stone”. Its other name, wolfram, comes from the mineral wolframite, which is why its symbol is W.
Natural tungsten occurs in wolframite and the mineral scheelite, rather than as a pure metal. Scheele identified tungstic acid from scheelite in 1781. Two years later, the Elhuyar brothers isolated the new metal from wolframite.
Physical properties of tungsten
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Melting point | 3,422°C (highest of all metals) |
| Boiling point | approx. 5,930°C |
| Density | 19.3g/cm³ |
| Atomic number | 74 |
| Crystal structure | Body-centred cubic |
Tungsten also retains high tensile strength at elevated temperatures. It is brittle at room temperature, but becomes strong and ductile at high temperatures. It has the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion of any pure metal, which gives it excellent dimensional stability.
Despite being refractory, it offers good electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. Its exceptional hardness and wear resistance keep it performing in the most demanding environments.
Chemical properties of tungsten
Tungsten is mostly non-reactive at room temperature and resists most acids, although it’s attacked rapidly by mixtures of nitric and hydrofluoric acid. At elevated temperatures, it reacts with oxygen to form tungsten oxide (WO3), also known as tungstic oxide. Tungsten forms a range of chemical compounds, including tungsten carbide and tungsten sulfide, which is valued as a high-temperature lubricant.
Applications of tungsten
Wherever heat resistance and strength are vital, tungsten is an excellent choice. Common applications include:
- Lighting: Tungsten filament for incandescent lamps and light bulb filaments.
- Medical and scientific: X-ray targets and X-ray tubes, plus radiation shielding.
- Furnaces: Heating elements and furnace components.
- Aerospace and defence: Missile components, plus rocket nozzles thanks to tungsten’s high melting point.
- Electronics: Filaments, electrodes, and glass-to-metal seals.
- Welding applications: TIG electrodes (see our welding services).
- Weighting: Counterweights and fishing weights, due to tungsten’s high density.
- Tooling: High-speed tools and cutting tools for the construction industries.
Contact Special Metals for tungsten supply & machining
Whether you need pure tungsten stock, tungsten alloys, or precision-machined components, our team can help.
Call us today on 01268 820 409, send us an email, or upload your drawing for a quick quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tungsten expensive?
Tungsten costs more than common metals like steel, but is far more affordable than precious metals like gold. The final cost of a tungsten part depends on its form, purity, and the machining involved.
Tungsten’s hardness and brittleness at room temperature make it harder to machine than other metals, so machined components usually cost more than raw tungsten stock.
Is tungsten stronger than titanium?
Tungsten is harder than titanium, has a higher tensile strength, and keeps its strength at elevated temperatures. It also has the highest melting point of all metals at 3,422°C.
Titanium is much lighter, however, so it offers a better strength-to-weight ratio. That’s why it’s often chosen for lightweight structures, while tungsten suits high-temperature and high-density applications
Is tungsten toxic?
Solid tungsten is generally considered low risk, but tungsten dust and some tungsten compounds can be harmful. Inhaling tungsten dust may cause respiratory irritation, and prolonged exposure can lead to diffuse pulmonary fibrosis.
Tungsten is also a skin and eye irritant. The recommended exposure limit is 5 mg/m³, so dust control and appropriate PPE are important when machining or grinding tungsten.
