^ "Wolframite: Wolframite mineral information and data".Wolframite was considered to be a conflict mineral due to the unethical mining practices observed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, during the Congo Wars. ![]() These characteristics allow this lubricant to operate in extreme conditions. Tungsten disulfide can be used at temperatures of 583 ☌ and 1316 ☌ in air and vacuum respectively. Tungsten disulfide (WS 2) is a lubricant with a dynamic coefficient of friction of ~0.03. Īnother modern day use of tungsten is as a lubricant. Another catalytic use of tungsten is as a De-NO X catalyst which is used in the treatment of nitrogen oxide emissions to convert harmful nitrogen oxides into inert N 2 gas. One such catalytic use of tungsten is as a hydrocracking catalyst which is used to improve the yield of organic components such as gasoline in hydrocarbon refinement as well as reducing harmful pollution and by products. Ī major modern day use of tungsten is as a catalyst for various chemical reactions. Wolframite is also used to make tungstic acid which is used in the textile industry. Additionally in the 19th century tungsten sulfides were sparingly used as lubrication for machining. Tungsten salts were used in the 19th century to dye cotton and to make stage costumes which were fire retardant. The following countries have the next highest reserves: Russia, Vietnam, Spain, and Austria with an estimated reserve of 400,000, 100,000, 56,000, and 10,000 respectively. Again China contains the greatest reserve at 1,800,000 metric tons of tungsten. Īs of 2022, the estimate world reserves of tungsten is 3,800,000 metric tons. The next highest producers are Vietnam, Russia, Bolivia, and Rwanda with an estimated 4,800, 2,300, 1,400, and 1,100 respectively. The foremost producer of Tungsten is China with an estimated 71,000 metric tons produced and as such world tungsten supply was dominated by China and Chinese exports. World Mine production and reserves Īs of 2022, estimated world mine production was 84,000 metric tons of tungsten. Wolfram is the basis for the chemical symbol W for tungsten as a chemical element. The etymology is not entirely certain but seems to be a reference to the large amounts of tin consumed by the mineral during its extraction, the phenomenon being likened to a wolf eating a sheep. ![]() This, in turn, derives from " Lupi spuma", the name Georg Agricola used for the element in 1546, which translates into English as "wolf's froth" or "wolf's cream". The name "wolframite" is derived from German " wolf rahm", the name given to tungsten by Johan Gottschalk Wallerius in 1747. Wolframite in its crystalline form also displays lamellar and prismatic habit. Wolframite in its pure crystal form exhibits a monoclinic crystal system with a perfect cleavage of and an iron black color. Wolframite ore exhibits massive form with a dark grey to reddish black coloration. Wolframite Contains the following percentages of its components, 60.63% W +6, 9.21% Fe +2, 9.06% Mn +2, 21.10% O -2. These two end members can be present in any proportion within Wolframite, from 100% Ferberite to 100% Hübnerite. The wolframite series consists of two endmembers, Ferberite (Fe 2+ end member), Hübnerite (Mn 2+ end member), with Wolframite, (Fe,Mn)WO 4 itself being a solid solution between the two endmembers. Crystal structure ĭiagram of Wolframite Crystal's front view In the more common granitic deposits, wolframite minerals can be found in both greisen and veins as its formation is tied to these two structures. The Wolframite Series is mainly formed through magmatic-hydrothermal processes associated with felsic magmas, namely skarns, or through metamorphic processes. Other producers are Spain, Canada, Portugal, Russia, Australia, Thailand, South Korea, Rwanda, Bolivia, the United States, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. China reportedly has the world's largest supply of tungsten ore with about 60%. ![]() This mineral was historically found in Europe in Bohemia, Saxony, and in the UK in Devon and Cornwall. Associated minerals include cassiterite, scheelite, bismuth, quartz, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, and arsenopyrite. Wolframite is found in quartz veins and pegmatites associated with granitic intrusives. Along with scheelite, the wolframite series are the most important tungsten ore minerals. Wolframite is an iron, manganese, and tungstate mineral with a chemical formula of (Fe,Mn)WO 4 that is the intermediate mineral between ferberite ( Fe 2+ rich) and hübnerite ( Mn 2+ rich). Iron manganese tungstate mineral Wolframite
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