TUNGSTEN – SCI & TECH

News: The Science Quiz | The quiet awesomeness of tungsten

 

What's in the news?

       Polymeric based composites have gained considerable attention as potential candidates for advanced radiation shielding applications due to their unique combination of high-density, radiation attenuation properties and improved mechanical strength.

 

Tungsten:

       Tungsten is a rare metal that is known for its high melting point, hardness and density.

       It is widely used in various industries, including aerospace, defence, electronics and construction.

       The ore of Tungsten is called Wolfram.

       Domestic requirements are met by imports.

 

Properties:

       The most important property of Tungsten is that of self-hardening which it imparts to steel.

       Over 95 percent of the wolfram is used by the steel industry.

 

Applications:

       Steel containing the requisite proportion of tungsten is mainly used in manufacturing munitions, armour plates, heavy guns, hard cutting tools, etc.

       Tungsten is easily alloyed with chromium, nickel, molybdenum, titanium, etc. to yield a number of hard facing, heat and corrosion resistant alloys.

       It is also used for various other purposes such as electric bulb filaments, paints, ceramics, textiles, etc.

 

Distribution of Wolfram ore in India:

       Karnataka (42%)

       Rajasthan (27%)

       Andhra Pradesh (17%)

       Maharashtra (9%)

       Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal (5%)

 

Largest Producers:

  1. China
  2. Russia
  3. Canada