tungstène

Tungsten, also known by its chemical symbol W and atomic number 74, is a chemical element. It is a hard, brittle, silvery-white metal. Tungsten has the highest melting point of all pure elements, at 3422 °C (6192 °F). It also has a very high boiling point, at 5930 °C (10706 °F). These extreme thermal properties make it useful in applications where high temperatures are involved.

Tungsten is found in nature primarily in the minerals wolframite and scheelite. It was discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1781 and first isolated by Juan José Elhuyar and Fausto Elhuyar in 1783. The name "tungsten" comes from the Swedish words "tung sten," meaning "heavy stone," referring to the density of the mineral scheelite. The chemical symbol W is derived from the mineral wolframite, which is named after wolfram.

The primary use of tungsten is in the production of cemented carbides, particularly tungsten carbide (WC). This material is extremely hard and is used to make cutting tools, drill bits, and other wear-resistant parts. Tungsten is also used in incandescent light bulb filaments due to its high melting point and ability to emit light when heated. Other applications include electrodes, heating elements, and in alloys for its strength and resistance to corrosion. Tungsten alloys are used in aerospace and military applications.