Tungsten and steel are two of the most widely used metals today. Both offer unique properties that make them suitable for a variety of applications. But when it comes to weight, which metal is heavier? Understanding the difference in density and weight between tungsten and steel can help determine which material is better suited for specific uses.
Introduction
Tungsten and steel are indispensable metals that provide strength, durability, and functionality across many industries. Tungsten is extremely dense and is used when high mass in a small volume is needed. Steel has a comparatively lower density but offers excellent strength. Determining which metal is heavier depends on the same volume of each material. By comparing the density, hardness, melting point, and other properties, we can understand why tungsten and steel are used for particular applications.
Knowing the key differences between tungsten and steel is important when designing equipment and choosing materials. For applications requiring small volumes with high density, tungsten is likely the better choice. Steel provides more versatility and may be better for large structural components. By the end of this article, the differences between tungsten and steel will be clear.
Tungsten
Tungsten, also known as wolfram, is a grayish-white lustrous metal extracted from minerals like wolframite and scheelite. With an atomic number of 74 and the chemical symbol W, tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals at over 6,100°F (3,380°C).
Some key properties of tungsten include:
- High density – At 19.25 g/cm3, tungsten has the highest density of all metals and is almost 2x denser than steel. This also makes tungsten about 1.7 times heavier than an equal volume of lead.
- Strength & hardness – Tungsten has high strength, with a tensile strength of about 550 MPa. It scores between 8 and 9 on the Mohs hardness scale.
- High melting point – Tungsten has the highest melting point of any pure metal at over 6,100°F (3,380°C). This exceptional heat resistance allows it to withstand very high temperatures.
- Resistance – Tungsten offers excellent abrasion and corrosion resistance. It is also a good electrical conductor.
Due to its unique properties, tungsten sees use across many industries:
- Electronics – Tungsten wires, electrodes, and electrical contacts are common in electronics due to tungsten’s conductivity and heat resistance.
- Lighting – Tungsten filaments in incandescent and halogen lights utilize tungsten’s high melting point to shine brightly.
- Alloys – Tungsten is alloyed with other metals to produce materials with improved strength and hardness for cutting tools and wear-resistant parts.
- Weight – Tungsten is used as ballast in applications requiring small volumes with high mass, like vibration dampening in machinery.
- Radiation shielding – The density of tungsten helps shield against radiation in medical and aerospace applications.
Tungsten’s exceptionally high density and strength-to-weight ratio make it an ideal choice when heavy materials in compact dimensions are required.
Steel
Steel is an essential alloy critical to countless applications. By alloying iron with carbon and other elements, over 3,500 grades of steel can be produced with varying properties. In general, steel offers strength, affordability, and recyclability.
Some key properties of steel include:
- Density – With a density around 8 g/cm3, steel is much less dense than tungsten but denser than other structural metals like aluminum.
- Strength – Steel offers high strength, with a tensile strength ranging from 200 up to over 2,000 MPa depending on the grade. It scores from 4 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale.
- Melting point – The melting point of steel ranges from 2,500°F to 2,800°F (1,370°C to 1,540°C). While lower than tungsten, this is still relatively high compared to other metals.
- Weldability – Many grades of steel can be welded and fabricated with relative ease. This makes steel highly versatile.
- Cost – Steel is widely available and affordable compared to other engineering materials. It also benefits from being highly recyclable.
Thanks to its well-balanced properties, steel finds use in nearly every industry:
- Construction – Steel is ubiquitous in buildings, bridges, and infrastructure, providing the fundamental framework of our modern world.
- Transportation – Automobiles, ships, trains, and planes all rely heavily on steel for structural components and body panels.
- Tools & machinery – Steel sees extensive use in hand tools, industrial equipment, and machinery where hardness, strength, and durability are critical.
- Appliances & containers – From refrigerators to drums for storing oil and chemicals, steel casings and containers are everywhere.
- Pipelines – Steel pipes transport water, gas, oil, and other substances across vast networks.
Steel’s affordability, strength-to-weight ratio, and versatility cement its place as the backbone of the industrialized world.
Comparison of Tungsten and Steel
When it comes to density and weight, tungsten is clearly the heavier metal. With a density of 19.25 g/cm3 compared to steel’s ~8 g/cm3, tungsten is over 2.3 times denser. This also makes tungsten about 1.7 times denser than lead. Given the same volume, tungsten will have significantly more mass.
However, steel has the advantage in other properties:
- Strength – While strong, tungsten is about 3 times less strong than most steel in terms of ultimate tensile strength. Many ultra-high-strength steels have tensile strengths over 2,000 MPa compared to tungsten’s 550 MPa.
- Hardness – Tungsten is one of the harder metals with a Mohs hardness of 7-8. But some high-alloy tool steels can match or exceed this, reaching up to Mohs 8.5.
- Melting point – Tungsten wins again here, with a melting point of 6,100°F compared to steel’s 2,500-2,800°F. This makes tungsten better suited for extremely high-temperature applications.
- Cost – Tungsten costs about 10-100 times more than an equivalent volume of steel depending on grade. Steel is far more abundant and economical.
- Fabrication – While strong, tungsten is brittle and difficult to machine or form compared to steel. Steel has better ductility and can be welded, cut, and fabricated with relative ease.
So while tungsten takes the crown for density and melting point, steel prevails in other performance metrics while being more affordable.
Conclusion
When choosing between tungsten and steel for an application, the specific requirements dictate which material is optimal. Where maximum mass in a small volume is critical, tungsten is the clear choice. Steel offers versatile performance at lower cost but with less density.
For weight, radiation shielding, vibration damping, or other uses needing heavy materials, tungsten clearly outperforms steel. Tungsten’s density of 19.25 g/cm3 gives it substantially more mass in applications with space constraints.
But for large structural components like buildings or machinery where cost, strength, and fabrication ease are priorities, steel likely makes more sense than dense but brittle tungsten. Steel offers the best compromise between strength, weight, and affordability.
While tungsten is heavier than steel, both metals will continue serving irreplaceable roles across technology and society. Tungsten brings critical density where needed, but steel’s balance of properties ensures its dominance for countless essential applications. Understanding the nuanced differences allows engineers to make informed choices.
