1) The metallic element tungsten is not found free in nature, but in several ores. tungsten is steel-gray to tin-white in color and, when very pure, can be forged, spun, drawn, and extruded. Impure tungsten is very brittle and difficult to work.
2) Tungsten is very resistant to corrosion and stable in dry air at room temperature. Tungsten's melting point exceeds that of all other metals and it has the lowest vapor pressure. At temperatures over 1650°C Tungsten has the highest tensile strength.
Tungsten Metal (W) & Powder Chemical Properties Available:
99.9%, 99.95%, and 99.999%,
Tungsten Metal (W) & Powder Physical Properties Available:
Crushed ingot, single crystal, pellets, pieces, many powder granulations (down to 0.5 to 0.6 microns and nano size), foil, plate, wire, and rod
Tungsten Metal (W) & Powder Physical Constants:
Atomic Number
74
Molecular Weight (g/mol.)
183.85
Apparent Density (g/cm3)
19.3
Crystal Structure
BCC
Specific Heat @25°C (cal/g-°C)
.032
Melting Point (°C)
~3410
Boiling Point (°C)
~5900
Thermal Conductivity (cal/s-cm°C)
.40
Hardness, Rc (alloyed)
25 - 31
Electrical Resistivity
0.055
Temp. Coeff. of Resistivity
0.00482
Elastic Modulus
410
Poisson Ratio
0.28
Recrystallization Temp. (deg.C)
~1300
Tungsten Metal (W) & Powder Typical Applications:
Lamp filaments, heating elements, high-temperature vacuum furnaces, arc-lamp electrodes, glass to metal seals, drill bits, nozzle heads, semi-conductors, inertial weights, targets for x-ray tubes, vibration damping; as "heavy-metal alloy", counter-balances, radio isotope containers, armor penetrations.
Tungsten Metal (W) & Powder Availability Comments:
1) There is a world shortage of tungsten metal. READE is a global distributor of tungsten.
2) Recent Industry News from Roskill:
a) The tungsten market has recovered strongly from the recession in 2009, when demand for tungsten fell by around 25%. Figures for 2010 show demand for virgin tungsten at close to 65,000t W, regaining almost all of the ground lost in 2009. Consumption of tungsten in China continued to grow throughout, but recoveries were particularly impressive in Japan (albeit after a catastrophic fall in 2009) and, to a lesser extent in the USA and Europe.
b) Historically, primary production has not always been sufficient to supply market demand and has been supplement by sales from stockpiles. The credit crisis in 2009 meant that most companies with tungsten projects in development had to take stock of the situation. Accessing funding for any projects proved difficult and, as a result, the timeline for development for most of the major tungsten projects slipped by at least 12-18 months, despite the market requiring additional tungsten capacity.
c) The outlook for the tungsten market is relatively positive as demand is expected to increase at almost 6%py to 2016, driven on by strong growth in China. Supply of tungsten will struggle to match demand growth at least until 2013, when some of the potential tungsten-producing projects are expected to begin production. However, any delays in commissioning of these projects would quickly see a growing deficit in the market with a resultant upward pressure on prices.
d) Very few of the significant new tungsten projects are expected to deliver any substantial tonnages of tungsten in 2012, so the market will be relying on existing producers to cope with any growth in demand. As a result, Roskill predicts a further tightening in supplies of tungsten and, therefore, further price rises, with an average APT price of US$475/mtu. It is possible that the market will test the US$500/mtu level at some point in 2012. Prices are then expected to ease between 2013 and 2015 as the bulk of planned new tungsten production capacity is expected to enter the market.
Tungsten Metal (W) & Powder Packaging Options:
Drums
Tungsten Metal (W) & Powder TSCA (SARA Title III) Status:
Yes. For further information please call the E.P.A. at +1.202.554.1404
Tungsten Metal (W) & Powder Chemical Abstract Service Number:
