Wolfram? Tungsten? Or both?

In this blog article, you can learn more about...

• • The etymology of words wolfram and tungsten
  • Applications of this metal
    

Wolfram and Tungsten are two names that have been used to refer to one of the heaviest metals in the world. But why the two different names? 

The answer lies in the metal's unique properties, with each name having its own fascinating etymology. The metal, known for its high density and strength, has a fascinating history and a unique etymology.

Wolfram

Wolfram is the name used in most European languages and is derived from the German word "wolfram," which means "wolf cream." The name is thought to have originated from the Latin term "spumi lupi," which means "foam of the wolf." This descriptive name was given due to the metal's ability to consume significant amounts of tin during extraction, much like the wolf is said to consume sheep. This tendency to "eat" tin during extraction is what led to the creation of the term "wolfram." ^1,2

Tungsten

Tungsten, on the other hand, is the name used mainly in English and French and has its roots in Swedish. The name comes from the Swedish words “tung” and “sten,” which means “heavy stone.” The name is a perfect description of the metal's high density, which is what sets it apart from other metals.^3,4

To summarize, while Wolfram is used in most European languages, Tungsten is mainly used in English and French. Both names have their origins in different languages and were chosen based on the metal's unique properties, with Wolfram referencing its tendency to consume tin and Tungsten referencing its high density.

Applications of Tungsten⁵

Besides the story about its etymological path, tungsten is also interesting because of its high melting point which makes it used in different industries. 

• According to Stwertka, wolframite and scheelite are the main tungsten ores, with China believed to hold around 75% of the world's tungsten resources. 
• Tungsten is highly valued for its use in producing filaments for light bulbs due to its exceptionally high melting point of 3,410°C and boiling point of 5,900 J - the highest among all metals. 
• Its applications extend to high-temperature uses such as electric heaters and rocket motor nozzles. When electricity passes through a tungsten wire, it heats up to a white-hot temperature, which can be controlled by enclosing inert gasses such as nitrogen and argon in the filament bulb. Although tungsten has the lowest vapor pressure among all metals, some vaporization occurs over time, forming a dark deposit on the inside of bulbs. 
• In addition to their use in light bulbs, tungsten filaments find applications in television tubes and cathode ray tubes for computer monitors. 
• Tungsten is frequently combined with steel to produce tungsten steel, an alloy that maintains its sharpness even under extreme temperatures. In contrast, cutting tools made from regular carbon steel tend to lose their edge at high temperatures. 
• Tungsten carbide is a rigid and chemically inert compound that retains its properties even at very high temperatures. This makes it crucial to produce high-speed cutting tools for industrial applications.  
  

Works Cited
¹ Green, Dan. The Periodic Table in Minutes. Mobius, 2016.

² Hanusa, Timothy P. “Tungsten | Uses, Properties, & Facts | Britannica.” Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/science/tungsten-chemical-element. Accessed 21 March 2023.
³ Helmenstine, Anne Marie. “Tungsten or Wolfram - Chemical & Physical Properties.” ThoughtCo, 3 July 2019, https://www.thoughtco.com/tungsten-or-wolfram-facts-606610. Accessed 29 March 2023.

⁴ “Tungsten - Element information, properties and uses | Periodic Table.” The Royal Society of Chemistry, https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/74/tungsten. Accessed 29 March 2023.
⁵ Stwertka, Albert. A Guide to the Elements. Oxford University Press, 2002