Tungsten was first discovered in 1781 by Spanish chemists Juan José and Fausto Elhuyar. Studying the mineral wolfram, they were able to discover the element from that mineral and thus called the element "tungsten." The name came from the Swedish words "tung sten," which means "heavy stone," because it is a heavy and high-density metal. This element was also called "wolfram" from the mineral from which it was extracted, wolframite, which according to its German name meant "wolf's foam", since it was "devouring" the tin in the smelting process.

Pure tungsten metal was, however, successfully isolated by the two brothers when they reduced tungsten oxide with carbon. Indeed, they were by this breakthrough able to contribute to the further knowledge of the element's properties.Research into the properties of tungsten began in the early 19th century. It was identified with a unique melting point and density property that made it distinguishable from other metals.

Until the early 20th century, its high melting point and strength enabled widespread applications of the metal in many industries, including one of the first major uses: producing filaments for incandescent light bulbs. Such application was ideal as a result of the enabling nature of the metal to resist high temperatures, thus warranting the wide use of tungsten in such incandescent light bulbs.

The exploitation of its properties in the context of military applications catapulted tungsten to prominence in the context of the World Wars. It was used, among other uses, in armor-piercing ammunition and as an alloying element in steel to increase hardness and strength. Tungsten has high strategic importance, for which such interest has a real strong effort to be directed toward securing supplies.

After World War II, tungsten continued to prove indispensable in many aspects of high technology applications. It was used in aeronautical technology, cutting tools, and in the production of superconductors. The high melting point and durability of the element are considered very important in modern technology and defense.

Tungsten has been part of leading technologies in electronics, aerospace, energy, among other fields over the last decades. Its high density finds use in radiation protection and counterweights, while its strength and resistance to heat are important in the making of high-performance materials and parts.

New research into tungsten proceeds for new possibilities under new technologies of advanced alloys and electronic applications. Attention is still focused on effective ways of mining and extracting tungsten, besides developing sustainable methods of its use.

Properties:

Melting Point: ~3422°C (6192°F) - Tungsten boasts the highest melting point among all metals; hence, it resists extremely high temperatures without melting, making the metal fit for high-temperature applications.

Density: ~19.3 g/cm³ - Such a high density qualifies tungsten among the heaviest metals, suitable for applications which call for high mass and inertia-for example, counterweights and radiation shielding.

Hardness: Vickers hardness ~3430 MPa - Tungsten is very hard with an excellent resistance to wear and scratching, which makes it valuable for cutting tools and industrial purposes.

Tensile strength: ~1510 MPa - The high-level tensile strength keeps tungsten from deforming when a lot of stress acts on it, which again is vital for high-performance materials and components.

Thermal Conductivity: ~173 W/(m·K) Tungsten is a relatively good thermal energy conductor; it allows good transmission of heat. This makes it useful in heat sinks and high-temperature components.

Electrical Resistivity: ~5.5 µΩ·cm Tungsten has a moderate electrical resistivity and hence can be applied in those cases which require reasonably controlled electrical conductivity-for instance, filaments and electrical contacts.

Thermal Expansion Coefficient: ∼4.5 × 10⁻⁶/°C — With its low thermal expansion, tungsten remains dimensionally stable with temperature changes, leading to a very minor dimension change caused by expansion or contraction.

Corresion Resistance: Excellent Corrosion Resistance Owed to a Protective Oxide Layer — Like a diamond, tungsten is extremely hard and resistant to scuffing. However, being basically unbreakable within a wide range of temperatures, it does not wear off.

Modulus of Elasticity: ∼400 GPa — Its high stiffness makes tungsten able to resist deformation that is usually induced by the loads.

Refractory Nature: Keeps strength at extreme temperature, tungsten has refractory nature; it retains mechanical properties at high temperatures-used in aerospace and industrial furnaces.

Chemical Stability: Resists attack by acids and bases, this chemical stability makes tungsten last longer under corrosive situations; hence, it will be appropriate for aggressive use in a chemical environment.

Applications:

The properties of Tungsten are unique, hence useful for several industrial, scientific, and technological uses. Some of the main applications that contain Tungsten are as follows

Filaments of Electric Bulbs: Filaments of electric bulbs are made from Tungsten because of its extremely high melting point and low vapor pressure, due to its ability to bear high temperature and not melt or vaporize at high temperature.

Cutting Tools and Drills: It finds its application in the manufacture of cutting tools, drills, and saw blades because of the extreme hardness and resistance to wear that the material provides. It is usually alloyed with other metals for better strength.

Aerospace and Defense: It is used in rocket nozzles, high-temperature-resistant shields, and other aerospace applications because of its strength retention at very high temperatures. It is also used in armor-piercing ammunition and radiation shielding owing to its high density.

Industrial Furnaces and Crucibles: The refractory nature of tungsten provides it with the appropriate qualifications for furnaces, crucibles, and other components at high temperatures without deterioration.

Electronic and Electrical Applications: Used in electronic appliances for electrodes, contacts, and other parts because of electrical conductivity and stability. In X-ray tubes, targets normally contain tungsten, which has an extremely high atomic number.

Production of Tungsten Carbide: Tungsten combined with carbon forms tungsten carbide, an extremely hard material used in cutting, mining, and metalworking tools.

Electrodes for Welding: Tungsten electrodes are used in a process of gas tungsten arc welding because it can bear high currents and temperatures without melting.

Density: With its high density and the ability to block harmful radiation, tungsten is useful in various applications involving radiation shielding, especially for medical imaging and radiotherapy.

Application in Counterweights and Ballast: Tungsten finds applications in aircraft, yachts, and race cars due to its high density level in order to serve as counterweights and to provide ballast that ensures stability and balance.

High-Temperature Alloys: Tungsten is used in alloys with other metals for strength and resistance to heat, especially in jet engines and other high-performance mechanical systems.

Superalloys: Tungsten is applied in superalloys for critical applications in jet engines, gas turbines, and nuclear reactors, in that its properties provide high resistance both to thermal and mechanical loads.

kinetic energy penetrators: Tungsten is an excellent material for kinetic energy penetrators and military projectiles, which have a small diameter and are designed to pierce armor.