Tungsten in Sheet Metal Manufacturing
There are various types of sheet metal, all of which are used for different applications in the steel and manufacturing industry. Tungsten is the hardest sheet metal; it also has the highest melting point but is extremely rare.
Because of how hard tungsten is, it can be a bit difficult to work with. However, it makes possible several of our day-to-day life activities. For instance, tungsten is used in the fluorescent light bulbs in your home. The following are physical and chemical uses, applications and effects of tungsten.
Cutting Tools
Tungsten-steel alloys are the most important uses of tungsten in steel and manufacturing. It is through the compound tungsten carbide that speed cutting tools and rocket engine nozzles are made. Speed cutting tools are used to shape and cut different materials like aluminium, bronze and brass, cast iron, titanium and so on. Therefore, tungsten is an important component of industrial equipment, where it plays a role in sheet metal fabrication and other similar processes.
Bulbs and X-rays
In household bulbs, the temperature of a tungsten filament can get to about 2550°C. The filament passes current through the bulb and causes a thermal radiation that brings about light.
Due to the high melting point of tungsten, bulbs of multiple wattage (ranging from 75 to 120 watts) are easily supported. Similarly, in X-ray production, the white-hot anode is made of tungsten. The cathode, which has a radioactive coating, is also made of tungsten. Other such applications include television tubes, missiles and incandescent light bulbs. Tungsten bulbs fuel multiple electrical devices across different industries.
Health Effects of Tungsten
There are various health effects of tungsten, ranging from skin sensitization and rashes to irritation of the eyes and lungs (because of its nickel and chromium content). Most workers are exposed to tungsten when grinding, polishing, welding or spraying parts with tungsten carbide. There are multiple precautions one can take to ensure the work environment is safe and to prevent exposure.
- Wear protective gear: General safety precautions like wearing protective gear go a long way toward preventing rashes, itching and eye irritation.
- Use ventilation control: Tungsten compounds are highly toxic. To avoid repeated exposure, it is important to keep your work environment well ventilated.
To conclude, tungsten is one of the most important sheet metals in manufacturing today. It is used in hospitals for x-ray production, in incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, and in the cutting and shaping of other sheet metals.