Tungsten is a metal with some unique properties, but it's not commonly used in heating devices. This is due to several reasons that make it less practical for general heating applications.
Why Tungsten is Not Used in Heating Devices? 4 Key Reasons Explained
1. Brittleness at Low Temperatures
Tungsten has a high ductile-to-brittle transition temperature. This means that below a certain temperature, it changes from being ductile (able to be drawn into wires or hammered into thin sheets) to being brittle (prone to breaking or shattering). This makes it difficult to work with in typical room temperature environments.
2. Oxidation at High Temperatures
Tungsten starts to oxidize in air at temperatures around 500°C and this process accelerates above 1200°C. Oxidation can lead to material degradation and failure, especially in heating elements where maintaining structural integrity is crucial. Therefore, tungsten often requires a protective gas atmosphere or a vacuum to prevent oxidation.
3. Challenges in Fabrication
The difficulty in machining and fabricating tungsten due to its high ductile-to-brittle transition temperature also contributes to its limited use in heating devices. Traditional machining tools like diamond tools are ineffective for pure tungsten, and the material cannot be easily drawn or extruded into tubes. This makes the production of tungsten heating elements more costly and technically challenging.
4. Alternative Materials
For many heating applications, alternative materials such as stainless steel tubes or resistance wires are preferred. These materials are easier to fabricate and resist oxidation better. They are more suitable for general heating applications where the temperatures do not exceed 650 degrees Celsius, making them more practical and cost-effective.
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