Tungsten (W) is a dense, heavy metal with the atomic number 74. It is a hard, strong, and corrosion-resistant metal that is typically extracted from minerals such as wolframite and scheelite.
Sources of Tungsten: Tungsten is found in various minerals, including wolframite and scheelite, which are primarily found in countries such as China, Russia, the United States, Canada, and Portugal.
Uses and production of Tungsten:
- Tungsten has several uses in various fields, including:
- In the production of high-speed steel and other alloys for use in the aerospace, defense, and construction industries due to its high melting point and density.
- In the production of electrical and electronic components, such as filaments and conductors, due to its high electrical conductivity.
- In the production of heavy metal alloys for use in counterweights and ballast.
Production of tungsten involves the separation of the element from its ores, typically by a combination of physical and chemical methods. The first step involves the crushing and grinding of the ore to a fine powder. This is followed by a series of chemical and physical processes, such as flotation, magnetic separation, and leaching, to separate tungsten from other elements in the ore. The final step involves purifying the metal to a high degree of purity for use in various applications.
Chemical properties of Tungsten:
- Tungsten is a reactive metal and readily reacts with air, water, and most acids to form tungsten compounds.
- Tungsten forms a protective oxide layer on its surface that makes it resistant to corrosion.
Physical properties of Tungsten:
- Tungsten is a dense, grayish-white metal with a high melting point (3422°C) and boiling point (5930°C).
- It has a density of 19.25 g/cm^3, making it one of the densest of the transition metals.
- Tungsten is a hard, strong, and brittle metal that is difficult to cut.
- Tungsten has five stable isotopes, which makes it useful in dating rocks and minerals.
Extraction of Tungsten: The extraction of tungsten from its ores is a complex process that involves a combination of physical and chemical methods. The first step involves the crushing and grinding of the ore to a fine powder. This is followed by a series of chemical and physical processes, such as flotation, magnetic separation, and leaching, to separate tungsten from other elements in the ore. The final step involves purifying the metal to a high degree of purity for use in various applications.