Tungsten

02.12.2024

Tungsten

Why in the news?

           The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister recently wrote to the Prime Minister seeking the cancellation of rights granted by the Centre to a private firm to mine tungsten in Nayakkan Patti Tungsten Block in Madurai district.

About Tungsten:

• It is a chemical element with the symbol W, and atomic number 74.
• Classified as a transition metal, Tungsten is a solid at room temperature.
• It is a naturally occurring element. It occurs in rocks and minerals combined with other chemicals, but never as a pure metal. It is found in nature in mineral forms like wolframite and scheelite.
• Elemental tungsten is a white to steel gray metal (depending on the purity) that can be used in pure form or mixed with other metals to make alloys.
• Major producers: China (dominates global production), Vietnam, Russia, and North Korea.
• It has been classified as a Critical Mineral by the Government of India.

Features of the Tungsten:

• One of the densest metals, with a density of 19.3 g/cc
• Highest melting point of all metals at 3410 °C
• Lowest vapor pressure of all metals with 4.27 Pa at 3410 °C
• Highest tensile strength of all metals over 1650 °C

Uses of the Tungsten:

○Tungsten alloys tend to be strong and flexible, resist wear, and conduct electricity well.

○Tungsten is used in products such as x-ray tubes, light bulbs, high-speed tools, welding electrodes, turbine blades, golf clubs, darts, fishing weights, gyroscope wheels, phonograph needles, bullets, and armor penetrators.

○It is also used as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions.

○Chemical compounds of tungsten are used for many purposes.

○Cemented tungsten carbide is a hard substance used to make grinding wheels and cutting or forming tools.

○Other tungsten compounds are used in ceramic pigments, as fire retardant coatings for fabrics, and as color-resistant dyes for fabrics.

                                                       Source: Hindustan Times

With reference to Tungsten, consider the following statements:

1. It is a chemical element which has the highest melting point of all metals.

2. Tungsten alloys tend to be strong and flexible, resist wear, and conduct electricity well.

3. Australia dominates global production of Tungsten.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

A.Only one

B.Only two

C.All three

D.None

Answer  B