The ruler in the ultra-high temperature field
In industrial manufacturing, scientific research, and high-end technological products, when the heating temperature exceeds the limit of 1400℃, ordinary alloy heating wires are no longer effective. At this point, two high-performance materials - molybdenum wire and tungsten wire - come into play. With their unparalleled high-temperature resistance, they have become indispensable core materials in cutting-edge fields such as vacuum environments, semiconductors, and aerospace. This article will delve into the characteristics, applications, and how to make the right choice of molybdenum wire and tungsten wire.
Why are molybdenum wires and tungsten wires necessary at extremely high temperatures?
Heating wires made of alloys such as iron-chromium-aluminum can withstand temperatures of approximately 1400°C in air. However, when the process requires temperatures of 1600°C, 2000°C or even higher, not only will the strength of the material sharply decrease, but more critically, it will cause intense oxidation and even melting. Molybdenum wires and tungsten wires perfectly solve the problem of temperature resistance thanks to their extremely high melting points (molybdenum 2620°C, tungsten 3410°C). However, they have a common "enemy" - oxygen. When heated in air, both will rapidly oxidize and form volatile oxides, causing the components to deteriorate rapidly. Therefore, they must be used in a vacuum or in a protective environment with inert gases such as argon or nitrogen.
Molybdenum wire is a filamentous material made from the metal molybdenum. It holds a unique "cost-performance" position among super-high temperature materials. The core feature of molybdenum wire is its high melting point (2620℃), good strength, moderate rigidity, and suitable resistivity. When protected in a vacuum or hydrogen gas, its long-term stable working temperature can reach 1700℃ - 1800℃. The core advantage of molybdenum wire is its high cost-performance ratio. Compared to tungsten wire, molybdenum has a more abundant reserve, is slightly easier to process, and therefore the cost of molybdenum wire is significantly lower than that of tungsten wire, making it an ideal choice for many industrial applications.
Molybdenum has better ductility than tungsten and is easier to be drawn into fine wires or processed into complex shapes.
The application of vacuum sintering furnaces is very extensive. In the processes of powder metallurgy and hard alloy production, as a heating element wire and structural support component, the mesh belt made of molybdenum wire is the core of the sintering process. The application of molybdenum wire in the glass industry is also very common. It is used as a glass melting molybdenum electrode and heating element in the glass industry because it does not contaminate the glass melt. Molybdenum wire is also used as a heating element in high-temperature furnaces. When wound into a spiral shape, it serves as the heating source for vacuum or protective atmosphere furnaces. Although not directly used for heating, high-quality molybdenum wire is an excellent electrode wire in electrical discharge wire cutting.
Tungsten is the metal with the highest melting point in nature (3410℃), which makes tungsten wires the ultimate solution for extreme temperature environments. Its core characteristics include an extremely high melting point, extremely high high-temperature strength, and low vapor pressure. In a vacuum or inert environment, its operating temperature can easily exceed 2000℃, and even reach above 2500℃. Among all metal materials, tungsten wires can withstand the highest working temperature, without any exception. At temperatures close to its melting point, it still maintains excellent mechanical strength and is not prone to sagging or deformation.
Wool wires are used in the application of semiconductor single crystal growth. In the vertical pulling single crystal furnace, they are used to manufacture heaters, insulation screens and crucible supports, which are crucial for manufacturing large-sized single crystals such as silicon and sapphire. In aerospace and high-temperature furnaces, wool wires are used in ultra-high temperature test equipment to simulate the thermal environment of hypersonic aircraft surfaces. In the lighting and electronics industries, although the demand for incandescent lamp filaments has declined, wool wires remain an important material in special lamps, electronic tubes and cathode ray tubes.
If the process temperature is below 1800℃ and a balance between cost and processing is desired, choose molybdenum wire. It is a fully adequate and cost-effective option for most industrial high-temperature furnaces and sintering applications.
If the process temperature exceeds 1800℃, or if extreme structural stability and purity are required, tungsten wire should be chosen. Although it is more expensive, it is indispensable in fields such as single crystal growth where requirements for temperature gradients and stability are extremely high.
The molybdenum wire is in high demand in various parts of the world, such as: USA, Canada, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Czech Republic, Poland.
As a Chinese Manufacturer, Mosten Alloy can produce molybdenum tube, molybdenum target, molybdenum sheet, molybdenum block, molybdenum foil, molybdenum wire, molybdenum rod, molybdenum processing workpiece according to customer demand.
