A Tungsten bar is made from 99.90% pure tungsten powder shaped into rounds and rectangles. It has a shiny, white metal surface and a density of over 17.5g/cm3. Tungsten bars are mainly used as additives in steel production or for spare parts in the semi-conductive and welding industries. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Leading Edge Metals & Alloys, Inc.
Torrance, CA | 877-455-5362Leading Edge Metals & Alloys offers tungsten products to a number of industries, including aerospace, electronics, magnetic shielding, and medical. We are leading experts in our field and we go out of our way to make sure our customers receive only the very best.
Mi-Tech Tungsten Metals, LLC
Indianapolis, IN | 800-624-1895Our quality tungsten-based metals such as our alloys and composites are the focus of our specialties, and have been for 30 years. Mi-Tech provides tungsten supplies such as tungsten bar, tungsten metal alloys, tungsten metal composites, and tungsten powder of the highest quality. We are a main supplier to electrical device rebuilders & to OEMs. We stock most commonly used sizes & materials.
Metal Associates
Pompton Plains, NJ | 800-838-1978Our company offers a diverse selection of tungsten items. We have highly trained and competent engineers who can successfully create you a metal solution regardless of how big or small. The expertise of our staff is unmatched.
Metalmen Sales Inc.
Long Island City, NY | 800-767-9494Metalmen provides worldwide distribution of all stainless steel. With our wide range of products, we offer expert market advice and complete metalworking as a custom response supplier serving industry.
Tungsten Bars Physical and Chemical Properties.
There are three types of tungsten grades: TW-1, TW2, and TW-4. TW-1 is primarily utilized to manufacture spare parts for the semi-conductive, welding, etc. industries. TW-2 is utilized as a processing raw material. TW-4 is a steel manufacturing industry additive. TW-1 is primarily utilized to manufacture spare parts for semi-conductive, welding, etc. TW-2 is utilized as a processing raw material. TW-4 is a steel manufacturing industry additive.
Tungsten bars have a minimum density of 17.5g/cm3. Under typical atmospheric conditions, a tungsten bar maintains high stability and doesn’t react with water, air, or sulfuric acid (HCl). A mild reaction with acid begins when heated to about 80 and 100 °C. The bar easily oxidizes in an oxygen environment.
The Process of Producing Tungsten Bars
Tungsten bars are made using powder metallurgy. "Powder metallurgy" refers to the creation of materials or components from metal powders. Reducing or eliminating the requirement for subtractive manufacturing processes can cut material losses and lower the finished product cost. The process of production of tungsten bars is described below.
First, manufacturers reduce tungsten metal ore to a fine powder. Tungsten powder’s particle size and form vary depending on its purpose. Then the powder undergoes chemical processing to create tungsten oxide. The tungsten oxide is heated to transform the metal ore powder into pure tungsten powder. Then the pure powder is poured into a mold, then hydraulically pressed into a bar shape.
Next, the bar must be sintered. Sintering binds the metal powder further, preparing the bar for delivery to manufacturers. High-purity tungsten powder is made through complex chemical processes and filtration to achieve the required purity level. This consolidation entails several steps involving high temperatures, electrical current, and a hydrogen environment. The tungsten undergoes this process, condensing and hardening to become its bar form. Additional procedures are required to roll, draw, or flatten the bar into the desired form.
Tungsten bar Applications
The 99.999 percent pure tungsten bars are used as parts for high-standard bearing steels, automobiles, high-speed trains, extremely precise equipment, and cutting-edge weapons. The raw materials for ingredients are typically cast, unique steel is forged, and steel wires are typically drawn using 99.95 percent pure tungsten bars. Furthermore, it is widely employed in furnaces for sapphire crystals, vacuums, and high temperatures. Tungsten bar is also used to build ships, satellite airplanes, artillery rockets, and guns.
Advantages of Using Tungsten Bars
Resistance to high temperatures
Tungsten has the highest melting point among metals. In its most pure state, the melting point is (3422°C). This can be helpful in some circumstances, such as the construction, aircraft, and automation sectors. Alloys and superalloys are frequently made from tungsten metal. The alloy is strengthened by its unusually high melting point and thermal creep resistance, making it suitable for more thermally demanding applications where other metals would fail.
High-density
The density of tungsten among the highest of all metals, measuring 1.7 times greater than that of lead. Tungsten is frequently employed in applications where mass is needed in small proportions because of its ability to store a lot more weight in smaller packaging. Due to its high density, tungsten is a great material to use when creating kinetic munitions, airplane ballast, and racing car ballast, all of which need to be compact and streamlined while still being able to convey a lot of energy.
Additionally, it serves as a good substitute metal for manufacturing jewelry. Even though tungsten is only 0.35 percent less dense than gold, it is significantly more affordable than gold. Tungsten is often used to create fake gold bars. Lastly, due to its high density, tungsten is frequently used to make heavy metal alloys like high-speed steel. However, tungsten's density can also be advantageous when mixed with nickel, copper, iron, and other materials.
Low thermal expansion
Tungsten has the lowest thermal expansion coefficient compared to any pure metal. This gives tungsten increased stability at high heat compared to typical production materials (like steel, for example). It is especially helpful when rigidity at high temperatures is required. For example, rigidity is required in tungsten carbide cutting tools or jet engine turbine blades because it possesses a structural solidity unequaled by other metals.
Electronic structure
Tungsten metal is often used in the electronics sector, particularly in settings with high radiation levels, because of its conductive qualities and relative inertness. Tungsten is one of the sources of metal for X-ray targets because it has high-energy radiation shielding and a high density, making it challenging for x-rays to penetrate. Additionally, tungsten metals are often used in electrodes, conductors, and metallic coatings.
