Metal is one of our greatest inventions. Without it many of the tools and equipment we enjoy today would not be possible.
Appreciating the difference is how you get your business to stand out from the competition. You’re not just looking for the most affordable metal, but the most effective, which means carefully and patiently sorting through all the different attributes and making viable matches. Furnace electrodes are different from glass melting electrodes. Your molybdenum crucibles will still have different attributes from tungsten products.
While it will take more than a little study to become well-acquainted with all the alloys that go into the manufacturing process, the list below will sort out the basics to get you started on the right foot.
The History Of Tungsten
It’s important to know tungsten is not a new creation. It was first discovered over 235 years ago in the late 1700’s, though it wouldn’t be applied to any Western industries for another 150 years. It only appears naturally when combined with four major mineral forms, which include calcium, manganese and iron. Today it is one of the most widely used metals around the world. It’s not just flexible, but highly durable and considered incredibly reliable by both major manufacturing plants and hobbyists.
Tungsten Used Around The World
When a tough metal needs to be used in large quantity, tungsten is the go-to solution for many. It’s twice as dense as steel and has the highest melting point of any metal in its purest form. Recent estimates have seen tungsten’s melting point at 6,170 degrees Fahrenheit, alongside the highest tensile strength and the lowest vapor pressure. This is particularly useful when conducting furnace electrodes, which need to be crafted carefully to withstand constant temperature changes.
Molybdenum And Various Elements
It’s not just tungsten that’s been turning heads. Molybdenum, as well as a few other elements, has proven a useful addition to many standard manufacturing methods. Discovered as an official element in the late 1700’s, it’s been used for a wide variety of purposes over the past two centuries. It has a very high melting point of 4,700 degrees Fahrenheit and molybdenum glass melting electrodes, in particular, are required to have purity levels of 99% to have enough resistance to both chemical corrosion and degradation.
Electrodes And Alloys
What sets some electrodes and alloys apart from the rest? As explored above, metal purity can both help or hurt the final product. Sometimes metals are combined with ‘filler’ for cheaper applications. Other times purity is required to prevent discoloration, degradation and even encourage more efficiency. Furnace electrodes are one such application that rely on very high-quality metals to keep the equipment working properly at all times and lasting as long as possible. To date there are only an estimated one and a half grams of tungsten per 1,000 kilograms of the Earth’s crust.
The Future Of The Tungsten Manufacturing Process
Tungsten processing is only going to keep getting better. Today tungsten carbide falls between 8.5 and 9 on the Moh’s hardness scale, just behind diamonds and their signature hardness of 10. It has a tensile strength of 1,500 megapascals and a very high melting point. Today vacuum furnaces are capable of temperatures above 1,200 degrees Celsius and are used in several industries, including medical, energy, electronics and even crystal growth. It’s through appreciating the unique details of each metal and combination that you’re able to get the most out of your process.
How can tungsten change the way you look at your business and the world at large?