Tungsten

Tungsten

With a melting point of 3,422 °C (6,192 °F; 3,695 K), the free element has the highest melting point of any element currently known, making it exceptionally robust. At 5,930 °C (10,706 °F; 6,203 K), it also has the greatest boiling point of any substance. Its density is 19.30 grammes per cubic centimetre (0.697 lb/cu in), which is approximately 1.7 times higher than that of lead and comparable to that of uranium and gold. It is challenging to process polycrystalline tungsten into metal since it is inherently brittle and hard (when mixed, under typical conditions).

Tungsten is found in a wide range of alloys, which are used in superalloys, radiation shielding, X-ray tubes, incandescent light bulb filaments and electrodes for gas tungsten arc welding. Due to its high density and hardness, tungsten is a good material to use in military applications for projectile penetration. Industrial catalysts made of tungsten compounds are frequently employed.