Table 1.

Tungsten uses and potential substitutes

Application	Fraction into application	Application details	Contributory tungsten properties	Primary substitutes	Substitute performance
Cemented carbides	50%* (36)	Metal cutting and forming tools, and mining and construction equipment	High hardness and high compressive strength	Boron nitride (37)	Adequate
Mill products	15%* (36)	Light filaments, electrodes, and welding applications	High melting point	Molybdenum	Good
Specialty steels	8.5%†	Tool steels and dies	Resistance to mechanical and thermal shock	Molybdenum (37, 38)	Good
Superalloys	8.5%†	Turbine engine components	Corrosion resistance and high temperature strength	Nickel and molybdenum alloys (37)	Good
Other	18%* (36)	Includes pigments and counterweights	Low vapor pressure and high density	Diverse	Not applicable

^*Value for 2005.

^†Value for 2005, and superalloys and steels were aggregated in global statistics (36) so we assumed an equal division of use.