Tungsten has several disadvantages, particularly its poor ductility and brittleness at low temperatures. This makes it difficult to machine and fabricate. The issue is more pronounced because tungsten's ductile-to-brittle transition temperature is usually higher than room temperature.
What is the Disadvantage of Using Tungsten? 4 Key Challenges
1. Difficulty in Machining
Pure tungsten is notoriously hard to machine due to its extreme hardness and high melting point.
Traditional diamond tools used for machining other hard materials like tungsten carbide are ineffective with pure tungsten.
The material can compact into the spaces between the diamonds, a condition known as "loading."
This renders the cutting tool unable to cut effectively.
Additionally, pure tungsten cannot be drawn over a mandrel or extruded into a tube, further complicating its fabrication processes.
2. Brittleness at Low Temperatures
Tungsten exhibits poor ductility and becomes very brittle at temperatures below its ductile-to-brittle transition temperature.
This characteristic makes it challenging to work with in typical industrial environments where temperatures are not significantly elevated.
The brittleness can lead to material failure during forming or machining processes.
It necessitates careful control of temperature and fabrication techniques.
3. Sensitivity to Impurities
Tungsten can also become brittle and difficult to work with when it is impure or contaminated with other materials.
This sensitivity to impurities requires careful handling and processing to maintain its structural integrity.
Moreover, tungsten oxidizes in air at elevated temperatures.
This necessitates a protective gas atmosphere or reducing atmosphere during welding to prevent material degradation.
4. Complex Fabrication Processes
The production of tungsten products, especially thin wires and large rods, involves a complex, multistep process.
This includes pressing, sintering, swaging, and repeated drawing and annealing.
These processes are not only time-consuming but also require precise control of temperature and pressure.
This adds to the overall cost and complexity of manufacturing tungsten components.
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