Element Tungsten
A metallic element with the atomic symbol W, atomic number 74, and atomic weight 183.85.
The name tungsten comes from the former Swedish name for the tungstate mineral scheelite, tung sten or “heavy stone”
It is used in many manufacturing applications, including increasing the hardness, toughness, and tensile strength of steel; manufacture of filaments for incandescent light bulbs; and in contact points for automotive and electrical apparatus.
Element Tungsten is many alloys have numerous applications, including incandescent light bulb filaments, X-ray tubes (as both the filament and target), electrodes in gas tungsten arc welding, superalloys, and radiation shielding. Tungsten’s hardness and high density give it military applications in penetrating projectiles. Tungsten compounds are also often used as industrial catalysts.
Names and Identifiers
Chemical Formula: | W |
CAS: | 7440-33-7 |
Molecular Weight: | 183.84000 g/mol |
EC Number : | 231-143-9 |
MDL Number: | MFCD00011461 |
Color: | grayish white, lustrous |
Other Names: | Wolframium, Tungsténe, Wolframio |
PubChem CID: | 23964 |
IUPAC Name: | Tungsten |
Inchl: | InChI=1S/W |
InChI Key: | WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
Canonical SMILES: | [W] |
ICSC Number: | 1404 |
Physical & Chemical Properties
Phase: | Solid |
Density: | 19.3 g/cm³ |
Boiling Point: | 6203 K (5930 °C, 10706 °F) |
Melting Point: | 3695 K (3422 °C, 6192 °F) |
Molecular Formula: | W |
Flash Point: | -23ºC |
Exact Mass: | 183.95100 |
Symbol: | |
Signal Word: | Danger |
Hazard Statements: | H228-H315-H319 |
Precautionary Statements: | P210-P305 + P351 + P338 |
Hazard Codes: | F:Flammable;Xi:Irritant; |
Risk Phrases: | R11;R36/38 |
Safety Phrases: | S6-S26-S36 |
RIDADR: | UN 3089 |
WGK Germany: | n/a |
RTECS: | n/a |
Packaging Group: | II |
Hazard Class: | 4.1 |
Tungsten isotopes are used in several applications. W-180 is used for the production of the therapeutic radioisotope W-181. W-186 is used for the production of W-188 which is used in so-called Tungsten-Rhenium generators. The W-188 daughter Re-188 is (milked( from there generators and used as a therapeutic radioisotope. W-184 has been used to study the elastic and inelastic scattering of heavy ions.
Naturally occurring isotopes
Isotope | Mass/Da | Natural abundance (atom %) | Nuclear spin (I) | Magnetic moment (μ/μN) |
---|---|---|---|---|
180W | 179.946701 (5) | 0.12 (1) | 0 | |
182W | 181.948202 (3) | 26.50 (16) | 0 | |
183W | 182.950220 (3) | 14.31 (4) | 1/2 | 0.1177847 |
184W | 183.950928 (3) | 30.64 (2) | 0 | |
186W | 185.954357 (4) | 28.43 (19) | 0 |
Radiosotope data
Isotope | Mass/Da | Half-life | Mode of decay | Nuclear spin | Nuclear magnetic moment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
178W | 177.9459 | 21.6 d | EC to 178Ta | 0 | |
179W | 178.94707 | 38 m | EC to 179Ta | 7/2 | |
181W | 180.94820 | 121.2 d | EC to 181Ta | 9/2 | |
185W | 184.953420 | 74.8 d | β– to 185Re | 3/2 | |
187W | 186.957158 | 23.9 h | β– to 187Re | 3/2 | 0.62 |
188W | 187.958487 | 69.4 d | β– to 188Re | 0 |