Do you know how the tungsten we use in our orbital welders makes its way from the ground to some of the most advanced construction projects in the world. We’re proud to supply our customers with some of the highest quality tungsten on the market but taking it from an ore in the earth to giga-factories takes a lot of work. In this post, we will discuss the process of turning tungsten ore into a finished product that can be used in orbital welding applications.
What exactly is tungsten?
Tungsten is a hard, grayish-white metal that is extracted from the mineral’s wolframite and scheelite. It is classified as a transition metal on the periodic table of elements and has the highest melting point and lowest vapor pressure of any element. It is also one of the heaviest elements that is found naturally on Earth.
The name "tungsten" comes from the Swedish words "tung" "sten", which translates to "heavy stone". The symbol for tungsten is W, which stands for Wolframium.
How is tungsten processed?
Tungsten ore is mined using traditional mining methods such as drilling and blasting. The ore is then transported to a processing plant where it undergoes crushing, grinding, and flotation to produce concentrate.
The concentrate is then roasted and smelted with Iron to produce ferro-tungsten. (Ferro-tungsten is a tungsten alloy that contains iron.) This alloy is then used in the production of the tungsten welding electrodes. The alloy is then mixed with a proprietary mixture of compounds to create a company specific composite which is extruded or molded to shape, packaged, and shipped to distributors.
How is tungsten graded?
Tungsten is graded according to the American Welding Society (AWS) classification system. There are three grades of tungsten
Pure tungsten is the most commonly used type of tungsten for welding applications. It has a high melting point and is easy to work with.
Thoriated tungsten is an alloy of tungsten and thorium. It has a higher melting point than pure tungsten and is more resistant to corrosion.
Ceriated tungsten is an alloy of tungsten and cerium. It has a lower melting point than pure tungsten but is more resistant
What are some welding applications for tungsten?
Tungsten is used in orbital welding, plasma arc welding, and gas tungsten arc welding. It is also used in the production of tungsten carbide, which is a hard material that is used in cutting tools and wear-resistant coatings.
Tungsten has a high melting point and low vapor pressure, making it an ideal material for welding applications. It is also highly resistant to corrosion and has a high electrical conductivity making it ideals for fusing pipes and tubing together.
Is using cheap tungsten worth the savings?
Simple answer, No. Using cheap or poorly manufactured tungsten can result in welding defects and expensive repairs. Cheap tungsten is often impure and may contain contaminants that can cause welding problems. It is important to use only the highest quality tungsten for welding applications and especially when orbital welding. Using cheap tungsten, you may end up with welding defects and expensive repairs down the road.
Not enough info here for you about tungsten? Wanting to learn more about the materials we use? Download the free MIT tungsten guide below and drop us a comment with the brand of tungsten you use for a chance to win a sample of our selection.
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