The followinguses for tungsten are gathered from a number of sources as well as from anecdotal comments. I would be delighted to receive corrections as well as additionalreferenced uses.
- useful for glass-to-metal seals since the thermal expansion is about the same as borosilicate glass
- tungsten and its alloys are used extensively for filaments for electric lamps, electron and television tubes, and for metal evaporation work
- electrical contact points for car distributors
- X-ray targets
- windings and heating elements for electrical furnaces
- missile and high-temperature applications
- high-speed tool steels and many other alloys contain tungsten
- the carbide is important to the metal-working, mining, and petroleum industries
- calcium and magnesium tungstates are widely used in fluorescent lighting
- tungsten salts are used in the chemical and tanning industries
- tungsten disulphide is a dry, high-temperature lubricant, stable to 500°C
- tungsten bronzes and other tungsten compounds are used in paints
- TV tubes (electron tubes)
- X-ray targets
More recently tungsten has found use in jewellery where its hardness and scratch resistance make it highly desirable. Image credit: Superior Wedding Rings.