Tungsten

Domestic production and use

  1. The last reported U.S. production of tungsten concentrate was in 1994. Approximately 65 industrial consumers were surveyed on a monthly or annual basis. Data reported by these consumers indicate that more than one-half of the tungsten consumed in the United States was used in cemented carbide parts for cutting and wear-resistant materials primarily in the metalworking, mining, oil- and gas-drilling, and construction industries.
  2. The left over tungsten was consumed to make tungsten heavy alloys for applications requiring high density; electrodes, filaments, wires, and other components for electrical, electronic, heating, lighting, and welding applications; steels, superalloys, and wear-resistant alloys; and chemicals for various applications.

Recycling

In 2006, the tungsten controlled in scrap consumed by processors and end users represented approximately 34% of apparent expenditure of tungsten in all forms.

Substitutes

Potential substitutes include cemented carbides based on molybdenum carbide and titanium carbide, ceramics, ceramic-metallic composites (cermets), diamond tools, and tool steels for cemented tungsten carbides; molybdenum for certain tungsten mill products; molybdenum steels for tungsten steels; lighting based on carbon nanotube filaments, induction technology.

World Resources

Tungsten

World tungsten resources are geographically widespread. China ranks number one in the world in terms of tungsten resources. Canada, Kazakhstan, Russia, and the United States also have significant tungsten resources.