A Closer Look at Tungsten

<p>In science fiction novels and comic books we read about people with amazing powers as well as metals and substances with amazing super strength. You might be surprised to discover that we have these types of metals right now. One such metal is called tungsten. You may have heard of tungsten because it has come into popularity lately as a material for men's wedding bands. But you might not be aware of its super strength.</p><p>Tungsten is a steel gray metal with remarkable physical properties. It has the highest melting point of all non-alloyed metals and the second highest melting point among elements. Carbon has the highest. In its raw form, tungsten is brittle and difficult to work with, but in its pure form it can be easily shaped.</p><p>Because of its many benefits, tungsten is used in a large number of applications. Its high melting point makes it ideal for high-temperature uses such as electrical, heating, and welding applications. It is also suitable for aerospace uses and is often used to make rocket engine nozzles. Tungsten compounds may also be used in high-temperature lubricants.</p><p>Other uses for tungsten include use in electrodes because of its conductive properties. Superalloys used to make turbine blades also contain tungsten. Also, because tungsten is high density it is used in a variety of applications that rely on that property including use in heat sinks, weights, ballast keels for yachts, etc.</p><p>One of tungsten's most popular uses, as mentioned before, is in jewelry, especially tungsten wedding bands. Its hard surface makes it ideal for scratch resistance. This, and also that fact that it does not require polishing, make it ideal for rings and bands with brushed finishes. With all of its amazing qualities, tungsten truly is a super metal.</p><p>Wedding Rings Forever (<a target="_new" href="http://www.weddingringsforever.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.weddingringsforever.com/</a>) sells <a target="_new" href="http://www.weddingringsforever.com/" rel="nofollow">tungsten wedding bands</a>. Ryan Coisson is a freelance writer.</p>