TungstenThe chemical element tungsten, atomic number 74, is listed as a transition metal in group VIB of the periodic table of the elements. Tungsten was previously known by the Germanic name Wolfram, after the tungsten mineral wolframite, hence its chemical symbol W. The name tungsten comes from the Swedish words tung and sten, meaning heavy stone, due to its high density. The discovery of the element is attributed to the Spanish brothers Fausto Jermin and the nobleman Juan Jose de Elhuyar in the early 1780s (1, 2). Tungsten is a natural element that is generally found as a chemical compound, mainly within wolframite and scheelite minerals, and very rarely in pure form. The colors range from shiny white to steel gray, depending on its purity (3). The metal is known for being extremely ductile and as a good conductor of heat and electricity. With the highest melting point, near 3422 degrees Celsius, and the lowest vapor pressure of all metals, tungsten has a wide range of uses, from mining to healthcare (2, 3). Global tungsten consumption consists mainly of cemented carbides or hard metals (2). As one of the hardest metals in the world, tungsten plays an instrumental role in cemented carbide tools and drill bits used for oil and gas exploration, making it valuable to the petroleum, mining and metalworking industries. Tungsten carbide is also used to increase the wear resistance of the cutting edge of tools and cast iron (1). The hardness of the metal along with its great tensile strength and ability to withstand extremely high temperatures make it ideal for use in filaments in incandescent light bulbs, cathode ray tubes, x-ray tubes, tube filaments empty and in rocks...... middle of paper ......seeded by the British Geological Survey (4). The high demand caused by increasingly widespread locations has resulted in a decrease in the supply of tungsten, putting a strain on the global tungsten market. While the opening of previously operational mines and the search for new mines will help supplement tungsten supply, it will still take several years for demand to be met, as “it is typically a two to three year process for those mines who currently mine tungsten for export.” (4). As a result, industries that depend on tungsten to operate are faced with the choice of trying to acquire a mine for their own use or working with current suppliers to strike a fair balance to meet demand. Since purchasing from a private company is not feasible for most businesses, the only option appears to be to encourage current suppliers to meet their needs (4).