The primary advantages of tungsten over steel include the following aspects:
Superior hardness: Tungsten exhibits exceptional hardness, ranking at level 5 on the Mohs scale, significantly exceeding that of standard steel. This makes tungsten ideal for manufacturing high-speed cutting tools, drill bits, abrasives, and similar applications.
Outstanding wear and high-temperature resistance: Tungsten carbide (a hard alloy) combines high hardness, excellent wear resistance, strength, toughness, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance. It retains nearly unchanged hardness even at 500°C and maintains a hardness level of 2 at 1000°C. These properties ensure reliable performance in extreme temperatures and harsh conditions.
Broad applicability: Owing to its hardness and durability, tungsten is widely used in cutting tools, rock drilling equipment, precision gauges, industrial molds, wear-resistant components, and high-temperature parts. In sectors like aerospace, nuclear engineering, and defense, tungsten alloys are particularly valued for their high density and thermal stability.
Chemical stability: Tungsten resists atmospheric corrosion at room temperature and demonstrates stable chemical behavior, ensuring consistent performance in corrosive environments.
In contrast, steel has notable limitations:
Lower hardness: Standard steel lacks comparable hardness, resulting in inferior wear resistance and high-temperature performance relative to tungsten carbide.