Tungsten is a chemical element that belongs to the class of refractory metals. The English name for tungsten is derived from the old Swedish word for "heavy stone" and the main ore in which tungsten naturally occurs most frequently is called wolframite, derived from the German in the Middle Ages. Tungsten is characterized by its exceptionally high melting point and excellent corrosion resistance with regards to numerous other metals. In addition, this material is particularly resistant to heat and wear, allowing it to play an important role in high-temperature applications. Along with tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, and tungsten-based composites also belong to the group of refractory metals.
