Tungsten

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Tungsten
Properties
Atomic symbol W
Atomic number 74
Classification Transition Metal
Atomic mass 183.84 amu
Other Information
Date of discovery 1783
Name of discoverer José and Fausto Elhuyar
Name origin From the Swedish tung sten meaning heavy stone.
Uses Due to its high melting point, tungsten is suitable for aerospace and high temperature uses which include drilling, electrical, heating, and welding applications.
Obtained from Tungsten is found in the minerals wolframite , scheelite, ferberite and hübnerite. The metal is commercially produced by reducing tungsten oxide with hydrogen or carbon..

Tungsten is a very dense, grayish-silver metal. Its density is virtually the same (to three decimal places) as gold. It also has the highest melting point of all metals, and at temperatures over 1650 °C, the highest tensile strength. The metal oxidizes in air and needs to be protected at higher temperatures. It has very good corrosion resistance and is corroded only slightly by most mineral acids. Tungsten is exploited for its high melting point and density, and that is reflected in its uses.

Uses

Tungsten has a variety of uses from ballast weights for aircraft control panels, to filaments in light bulbs:

- Electrodes for welding

- Wire extrusion dies

- X-ray tube windows

- Armor piercing projectiles

- Shotgun shot

- Bucking bars

- Evaporation filaments and boats