In a time when schools across the country continue to revamp their curriculum to highlight the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math classes (STEM), it should come as no surprise that items like tungsten crucible evaporation boats and vacuum furnace parts are a part of the ordering lists for a number of companies. From pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to food and drink research teams, the use of tungsten crucible evaporation boats and custom vacuum furnace products are an important part of both research and development. And while the schools in this country continue to work on ways to graduate more science savvy students, the work that these future scientists and researchers do depends on specific materials and supplies.
Although there are many scientific supplies that are used in labs across the country, there are a few pieces of equipment that seem to be more versatile and essential. One of the most important elements in these essential supplies is tungsten. Consider some of these facts and figures about the use of tungsten and other elements in the science labs throughout America:
- As one of the more rare elements on this planet, there are only 1.25 grams of tungsten per 1,000 kilograms of the Earth’s crust.
- In fact, tungsten only appears naturally when it is combined in four major mineral forms with calcium, iron, or manganese.
- A major reason that tungsten is so important to many products is that it is more than twice as dense as steel.
- Although it was not applied to an industry for another 150 years, tungsten was discovered 236 years ago in 1781.
- Tungsten has the highest melting point, 6,170 degrees F, the highest tensile strength, and the lowest vapor pressure of all the metals in their pure form.
- Falling behind diamonds, which have an hardness of 10, tungsten carbide falls between 8.5 and 9 on Moh’s hardness scale.
- Tungsten also has a tensile strength of 1,510 megapascals.
- In comparison, Molybdenum has a high melting point of 4,748 degrees Fahrenheit.
We are a nation that continues to deal with the importance of future scientific work by drawing students into these fields and pushing for the development of reliable research and development products.
