Tungsten steel alloys are some of the most versatile and widely used alloys on Earth. Alloys are the material that is created when two or more metals are joined together. Tungsten steels are formed when a given amount of tungsten is combined with steel to create a steel alloy that is comprised of anywhere between 1 and 20 percent tungsten. This alloy is very durable, heat-resistant and hard.
Tungsten is a versatile material, which is why the alloy is so widely used. It has the highest melting point of all metals on the periodic table; tungsten melts when heated to temperatures exceeding 6,170 degrees Fahrenheit. At room temperature, tungsten's maximum tensile strength is up to 500,000 pounds per square inch. Tungsten offers the highest tensile strength of any metal at temperatures up to 1,650 degrees Fahrenheit. On the periodic table, tungsten's atomic symbol and identification number are W and 74, respectively. Tungsten molecules are made up of 74 total protons and electrons.
High-speed steels (HSS) like tungsten steel are designed for high-speed metal cutting and forming applications under high temperatures that can exceed several thousand degrees Fahrenheit. Reamer, drill bit, saw blade, die and gear cutter attachments are often made of tungsten steel or some other alloy that offers hardness, strength and durability. High-speed steels are used to form tool-grade steel into hand tools like hammers and wrenches. Tungsten steel offers the benefit of greater flexibility over other HSS materials like tungsten carbide. For maximum hardness, speed and overall efficiency, tungsten steel used for high-speed cutting applications contains between 7 and 10 percent tungsten.
Tungsten steel's versatility makes it a perfect material for many other applications outside high-speed metalworking. This alloy's resistance to heat and corrosion make it an ideal material for creating turbine engines and certain integral metallic components in electronic devices. Internal combustion engine valve steels typically contain 2 percent tungsten.