Tungsten

Metals -> Elements, Metallic

Flammable agents - 3rd degree

19.3 (NIOSH, 2024) - Denser than water; will sink

18.7-19.3 @ 20 °C/4 °C; depends on extent of working.

19.3 g/cm³

19.3

19.3 @25 °C

19.3

Steel-gray to tin-white metal; body centered cubic structure

CRYSTALLINE FORM GRAY-BLACK, CUBIC

Hard, brittle, steel-gray to tin-white solid.

Insoluble (NIOSH, 2024)

Sol in mixture of nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid

Solubility in water: none

Insoluble

10701 °F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024)

5900 °C @ 760 mm Hg

5900 °C

10,701 °F

5555 °C @760 [mm Hg]

10,701 °F

6170 °F (NIOSH, 2024)

3410 °C

3410 °C

6170 °F

3422 °C

6170 °F

0 mmHg (approx) (NIOSH, 2024)

1.97X10-7 mm Hg @ 2,327 °C

0 mmHg (approx)

depends upon the specific compound

0 mmHg (approx)

Dull gray powder or hard, brittle, steel-gray to white metal. Difficult to melt. Mp: 3410 °C; bp; 5900 °C. Density: 19.3 g/cm3. Used in alloys, light bulb filaments, and cutting tools. Tungsten Dust (for example, from grinding) may present a moderate fire hazard if allowed to accumulate and exposed to an ignition source.

Large Crystals; Dry Powder; Other Solid; Dry Powder; Other Solid

Hard, brittle, steel-gray to tin-white solid; [NIOSH]

GREY-TO-WHITE POWDER.

Hard, brittle, steel-gray to tin-white solid.

Physical properties vary depending upon the specific soluble tungsten compound.

STABLE IN DRY AIR @ ORDINARY TEMP

OXIDIZES IN AIR & MUST BE PROTECTED @ ELEVATED TEMP

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 26.5% (196 of 741) of reports.

Danger

H228 (73.4%): Flammable solid [Danger Flammable solids]

P210, P235, P240, P241, P280, P370+P378, P407, P410, P413, and P420 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 741 reports by companies from 13 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Warning

Chemical: Tungsten

Hazard Traits - Neurotoxicity; Respiratory Toxicity

Tungsten is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Tungsten are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Status: Active Update: 11-05-2023 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/15495

Tungsten: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

The New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act requires public and private employers to provide information about hazardous substances at their workplaces. (N.J.S.A. 34:5A-1 et. seq.)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

Highly flammable when finely divided.

FINELY DIVIDED FORM IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE & MAY IGNITE SPONTANEOUSLY.

POWDERED TUNGSTEN CAN BE PYROPHORIC UNDER RIGHT CONDITIONS.

Tungsten is a naturally occurring element. It occurs in rocks and minerals combined with other chemicals, but never as a pure metal. Elemental tungsten is a white to steel gray metal (depending on the purity) that can be used in pure form or mixed with other metals to make alloys. Tungsten alloys tend to be strong and flexible, resist wear, and conduct electricity well. Tungsten is used in products such as x-ray tubes, light bulbs, high-speed tools, welding electrodes, turbine blades, golf clubs, darts, fishing weights, gyroscope wheels, phonograph needles, bullets, and armor penetrators. Tungsten is also used as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions. Chemical compounds of tungsten are used for many purposes. Cemented tungsten carbide is a hard substance used to make grinding wheels and cutting or forming tools. Other tungsten compounds are used in ceramic pigments, as fire retardant coatings for fabrics, and as color-resistant dyes for fabrics.

The TLV is recommended to protect against lung damage. Oral doses of soluble sodium tungsten tungstate dihydrate given to mice and rats were almost completely eliminated within 24 hours. Humans received large oral doses (200 mg/day) of soluble sodium tungstate over a 6-week period without adverse effects (compared to placebo controls). [ACGIH] Tungsten resembles molybdenum; Excess absorption of tungsten may antagonize the action of molybdenum, an essential trace nutrient; Hard metal disease is believed to be caused by cobalt, which is fused with tungsten carbide in hard metal tools; Systemic effects from tungsten have not been reported after occupational exposure; [Nordberg, p. 1297-1305] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [CAMEO] See Tungsten carbide (cemented).

TUNGSTEN is stable at room temperature. Very slowly attacked by nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and aqua regia. Dissolved by a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid. No reaction with aqueous bases. Attacked rapidly by molten alkaline melts such as Na2O2 or KNO3/NaOH. Vigorous reactions with bromine trifluoride and chlorine trifluoride. Becomes incandescent upon heating with lead oxide; becomes incandescent in cold fluorine and with iodine pentafluoride. Combustible in the form of finely divided powder and may ignite spontaneously.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media. NO water. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

Fresh air, rest.

Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Seek medical attention if you feel unwell.

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Tungsten:

(General first aid procedures)

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

VENTILATION CONTROL: ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ENGINEERING CONTROL MEASURES IS VENTILATION- EITHER GENERAL OR LOCAL EXHAUST. /TUNGSTEN/

SRP: Local exhaust ventilation should be applied wherever there is an incidence of point source emissions or dispersion of regulated contaminants in the work area. Ventilation control of the contaminant as close to its point of generation is both the most economical and safest method to minimize personnel exposure to airborne contaminants.

Respiratory (From the Nose to the Lungs)

Eyes, skin, respiratory system, blood

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.

inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Ingestion (L2144); inhalation (L2144); absorption (L2144)

Tungsten oxide (or tungsten trioxide: WO3) is a chemical compound containing oxygen and the transition metal tungsten. Possible health impact of WO3 nanoparticles (NPs) upon introduction into the body is of great interest. Cytotoxicity, inflammation and increased oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation are prominently discussed to be relevant factors regarding the safety of small particles down to the nano-range. It has been reported that different sizes and morphologies of NPs have the potential to influence the interaction with many kind of biomolecules, including proteins, enzymes and DNA. The liver was considered as a target site for nanotoxicity due to its accumulative properties after ingestion, inhalation or absorption. (L2144) Tungsten interferes with molybdenum and copper metabolism and is somewhat toxic to animal life. (Wikipedia)

Cough. Sore throat.

Redness.

Redness. Pain.

Nausea. Tremor.

irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system; diffuse pulmonary fibrosis; loss of appetite, nausea, cough; blood changes

ONLY VERY SMALL CONCN OF TUNGSTEN...IN ATMOSPHERE...RELATED TO INDUST EMISSIONS OR...NUCLEAR FALLOUT. LEVELS...USUALLY...LESS THAN 1.5 NG/CU M IN AIR. ...ISOTOPES...PRODUCED IN NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS ON SOME OCCASIONS IN LARGE AMT. THESE...WIDELY DISTRIBUTED IN ENVIRONMENT PRIMARILY AS TUNGSTIC OXIDE.

...NO ILL EFFECTS IN PT GIVEN 25-80 G POWDERED TUNGSTEN METAL BY MOUTH AS SUBSTITUTE FOR BARIUM IN RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.

THERE ARE NO DATA AVAIL ON OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES TO COMPD OF TUNGSTEN WHICH INCRIMINATE THESE AS TOXIC OR HAZARDOUS AGENTS.

...FOCAL INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONITIS & BRONCHIOLITIS...FOCAL INTERSTITIAL INFILTRATION...ATROPHIC EMPHYSEMA &...PERIBRONCHIAL & PERIARTERIAL FIBROCELLULAR REACTION...ENDARTERITIS OBLITERATION. /TUNGSTEN METAL DUST, INTRATRACHEAL SUSPENSION, 150 MG, 3 EQUAL DOSES IN GUINEA PIGS FOLLOWED UP FOR FROM 30 DAYS TO 1 YR/

...WHITE RATS SINGLE INTRATRACHEAL DOSE...50 MG METALLIC TUNGSTEN...IN 0.5 ML SALINE & SACRIFICED AFTER 4, 6, 8 MO. HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES WERE LIMITED TO THE LUNGS & CONSISTED OF A PROLIFERATIVE REACTION OF THE LYMPHOID & HISTIOCYTIC ELEMENTS, PARTICULARLY AT SITES OF ACCUM OF ADMIN DUST WITH SUBSEQUENT MILD FIBROSIS.

TUNGSTEN METAL POWDER FED 70 DAYS TO WEANLING RATS...@ LEVELS 2, 5, & 10% OF DIET...RESULTED IN NO EFFECT ON GROWTH RATE OF MALE RATS BUT CAUSED 15% REDN IN WT GAIN IN FEMALES FROM THAT OF CONTROLS. PARTICLE SIZE...NOT REPORTED.

...50 MG TUNGSTEN DUST INTRODUCED INTO THE TRACHEA OF RATS RESULTED IN PROLIFERATION OF THE INTRA-ALVEOLAR SEPTA, ESP IN THOSE AREAS WHERE DUST HAD VISIBLY ACCUM. DUST-CHAMBER EXPOSURES OF ANIMALS TO TUNGSTEN...PRODUCED ONLY MINOR CHANGES.

For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for TUNGSTEN, ELEMENTAL (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

REDUCED METAL, AIR CONCN OF TUNGSTEN...OF 10...MG/CU M OBTAINED.

LONG INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE...HAS INDICATED NO PNEUMOCONIOSIS TO DEVELOP AMONG WORKERS EXPOSED SOLELY TO W... AIR CONCN OF TUNGSTEN WERE OF THE ORDER OF 5 MG/CU M. ... AEROSOL PARTICLES IN THE 0.5-1 UM RANGE ARE ABUNDANT AROUND POWDER METALLURGY OPERATIONS WHICH UTILIZE TUNGSTEN METAL...

TUNGSTEN POISONING GENERALLY OCCURS AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO INDUST DUSTS & VAPORS IN REFINING OF TUNGSTEN OR AFTER ACCIDENTAL INGESTION OF TUNGSTATES.

The average tungsten concentration in the earth's crust is about 0.006%. Tungsten occurs naturally as tungstate, mainly in compounds such as wolframaites and scheelites. Tungsten exists in several oxidation states, 0, 2+, 3+, 4+, 5+, and 6+. The most stable is 6+ with the lower states being relatively unstable. Tungsten exist as ions in combination with one or more elements, e.g., oxygen. The production and use of tungsten compounds as catalysts (e.g., tungsten oxides and sulfides); cutting and forming tools (e.g., tungsten carbide); filaments (e.g., tungsten metal and alloys); and dyes and pigments (e.g., organic tungsten) may result in the release of tungsten to the environment through various waste streams. Only small concentrations of tungsten have been released into the atmosphere primarily by industrial emissions and nuclear fall-out. If released to air, most tungsten compounds have low vapor pressures and will exist solely in the particulate phase in the ambient atmosphere. Particulate-phase tungsten compounds may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition. If released to soil, tungsten compounds will have moderate to low mobility based upon a sorption coefficients ranging from 10 to 50,000 at pHs 5 to 6.5. Tungsten compounds are will exist as ions or insoluble solids in the environment and therefore volatilization from moist soil surfaces will not be an important fate process. Tungsten compounds will not volatilize from dry soil surfaces based upon their ionic character and low vapor pressures. If released into water, tungsten compounds will adsorb to suspended solids and sediment based upon their range or sorption coefficients. Tungsten in natural waters is in the form of tungstate (i.e., WO4- 2) and other tungsten polyanions. Tungsten compounds will exist as ions or insoluble solids in the environment and therefore volatilization from water surfaces will not be an important fate process. Occupational exposure to tungsten compounds may occur through inhalation of dust and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where tungsten compounds are produced or used. (SRC)

Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway. Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if needed. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with normal saline during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 ml/kg up to 200 ml of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . Cover skin burns with dry sterile dressings after decontamination ... . /Poison A and B/

Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in respiratory arrest. Positive pressure ventilation techniques with a bag valve mask device may be beneficial. Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias as necessary ... . Start an IV with D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use lactated Ringer's if signs of hypovolemia are present. Watch for signs of fluid overload. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Treat seizures with diazepam (Valium) ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Poison A and B/

RATS...FED...100 DAYS ON DIETS IN WHICH TUNGSTEN...AS FINELY GROUND METAL, /OR/ TUNGSTEN OXIDE... PRINCIPLE SITES OF DEPOSITION WERE BONE & SPLEEN WITH TRACE QUANTITIES (LESS THAN 1.0 MG %...) IN KIDNEY & LIVER & IN SOME ANIMALS IN BLOOD, LUNG, MUSCLE & TESTES.

IN RAT FOLLOWING INGESTION OF (185)W 40% OF DOSE...EXCRETED IN URINE AFTER 24 HR & ABOUT 58%...ELIMINATED IN FECES OR HAD REMAINED UNABSORBED IN GUT WITH ONLY 2% REMAINING IN TISSUES. ... FOLLOWING INHALATION OF A (181)W-LABELLED TUNGSTIC OXIDE AEROSOL BY BEAGLE DOGS, 60% OF INHALED ACTIVITY WAS DEPOSITED IN RESP TRACT.

IN MAN TRACE QUANTITIES OF TUNGSTEN...EXCRETED IN URINE & ELIMINATED IN FECES. IN LIMITED STUDY ON 4 NORMAL YOUNG ADULTS WITHOUT SPECIFIC EXPOSURE ELIMINATION BY THESE 2 ROUTES OVER 24-HR PERIODS BALANCED TUNGSTEN INTAKE...WITH ONLY SMALL POSITIVE & NEGATIVE VARIATIONS.

URINARY EXCRETION...RANGED FROM 2.0-13.0 UG/24 HR IN 4 SUBJECTS OVER 8 EST. FECAL ELIMINATION...1.6-5.7 UG TUNGSTEN/24 HR. ...HEALTHY YOUNG MALE & FEMALE ADULTS...

Following ingestion, tungsten is eliminated in urine & feces. Following parenteral injection, tungsten is eliminated principally in urine, with excretion complete at 12 hr after admin. After ingestion, tungsten accumulates in rat bones & spleen, with some deposition in the kidneys & liver; traces were detected in the lung, testes, & skeletal muscle.

Tungsten is used in ferrous and nonferrous alloys to make filaments in incandescent lights, welding electrodes, heating elements, and rocket nozzles. Tungsten carbide (cobalt) is used in abrasives and high-speed tools. Exposures to tungsten dusts occur in milling and refining wolframite and sheelite ores; Also used as petroleum refinery catalysts and in nanomaterials (pigments, lubricant additives, electronics, and lighting); [ACGIH]

Steel Producing [Category: Industry]

Incr hardness, toughness, elasticity and tensile strength of steel; mfr alloys, filaments for incandescent lamps and in electron tubes; in contact points for automotive, telegraph, radio and television apparatus; phonograph needles

In glass-to-metal seals, metal evap work, x-ray targets, windings and heating elements, high-temp uses

High-speed tool steel, ferrous, and nonferrous alloys, ferrotungsten, filaments for electric lightbulbs, contact points, X-ray and electron tubes, welding electrodes, heating elements in furnaces and vacuum-metalizing equipment, rocket nozzles and other aerospace applications, shell steel, chemical apparatuses, high-speed rotors as in gyroscopes, solar energy devices (as vapor-deposited film that retains heat at 500 °C).

IN PLATING MATERIAL; PREPN OF GREEN & BLUE PIGMENTS

(1977) 3.49X10+8 G-METAL & METAL ALLOY POWDER

(1979) 3.00X10+8 G-METAL & METAL ALLOY POWDER

(1986) 3.00x10+7 g

(1996) 10,900 metric tons; (1997) 12,200 metric tons; (1998) 12,300 metric tons; (1999) 13,200 metric tons; (2000) 14,700 metric tons

(1977) No Data

(1979) No Data

(1986) 2.40x10+9 g

(1996) 4,190 metric tons; (1997) 4,850 metric tons; (1998) 4,750 metric tons; (1999) 2,870 metric tons; (2000) 2,500 metric tons /Concentrate/

(1996) 7,580 metric tons; (1997) 7,980 metric tons; (1998) 8,490 metric tons; (1999) 8,230 metric tons; (2000) 7,800 metric tons /Other forms/

2023: 10,000,000 - <25,000,000 lb

(1977) 2.75X10+9 GRAMS (METAL POWDER)

(1979) 2.74X10+9 GRAMS (METAL POWDER)

(1986) 8.00x10+8 g

(1996) 2,670 metric tons; (1997) 2,930 metric tons; (1998) 3,350 metric tons; (1999) 5,250 metric tons; (2000) 5,300 metric tons /Concentrate/

METAL WIRE, ROD, & SHEET (EG, FOR ELECTRICAL APPLICATIONS) 53%; CUTTING AND WEAR RESISTANT ALLOYS, 43%; OTHER NON-STEEL ALLOYS, 4%

Metalworking, mining and construction machinery and equipment, 70%; lamps and lighting, 10%; electrical machinery and equipment, 8%; transportation, 8%; and other, 4% (1986)

70% of tungsten consumed in US went into making cemented carbide parts to be used as cutting and wear-resistant materials primarily in the metal working, oil and gas drilling, mining, and construction industries; the remaining tungsten was consumed in making lamp filaments, electrodes, and other components for the electrical and electronics industries, 17%; steels, super alloys, and wear-resistant alloys, 12%; and chemicals for catalysts and pigments, 1%.

Obtained commercially by redn tungsten oxide with hydrogen or carbon.

Metal...plated onto objects by vapor deposition from tungsten hexafluoride or hexacarbonyl and can bond metal parts together. ...powder (produced by carbon redn) converted into solid metal by powd metallurgical techniques. Large single crystals...grown by arc-fusion process. Granules...by redn of hexafluoride.

Aluminothermic reduction of tungstic oxide; hydrogen reduction of tungstic acid or its anhydride

Tungsten trioxide/ammonium paratungstate + hydrogen (hydrogenation)

Paint and Coating Manufacturing

Tungsten: ACTIVE

...isolation processes: KC Li, CY Wang, Tungsten, ACS Monograph Series no 94 (Reinhold, NY, 3rd ed, 1955) pp 113-269; GD Rieck, Tungsten and its Compd (Pergamon Press, NY, 1967) 154 pp.