Applications of tungsten mesh in heating and electronic equipments
Tungsten mesh elements are commonly used for high temperature heating applications. They are popular for providing higher durability than traditional sheet style elements. Tungsten also offers higher watt density than rod style heating elements.
Tungsten has the highest service temperature up to 3000oC in an inert condition. It operates in a same way as an incandescent light bulb. Its highest melting point and lowest vapour pressure among all metals and outstanding resistance to many chemicals, make tungsten a perfect material of use both in applications and manufacturing.
The mesh elements can be customized for each application. Resistance is a design factor for modification to maximize efficiency. The circular tungsten mesh heating elements can be circular or flat and they can be made for single or triple phase power operation. Various heating elements hang vertically however some are operated horizontally. The position of the element becomes a design factor. The heating elements are usually supported by liquid cooler power feedthroughs. The style and position of feedthroughs state the style of power leads.
The resistance and heat loss states the real wire size and configuration of the mesh. The elements run on low voltage and high amperage.
Another design issues include supporting of elements. Large elements may have several power pints to hang the elements. The mesh elements can be cleaned by ultracleaning in controlled atmosphere applications. Tungsten mesh is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Considering the environmental hazards resulted due to the military materials. The crucial application of tungsten is in variety of high speed ammunition, particularly armor piercer. Tungsten is an indispensable part of armor piercer. The kinetic armor-piercer made from tungsten alloy can compete directly with depleted uranium bomb. The mesh can also be used for nuclear weapon material shell protection.
The high temperature measurement system uses high vacuum tungsten mesh furnace designed for the flow of collimated gamma beam through the required region. Tungsten mesh is also used in cathode ray tubes or other electronic equipments. It is commonly used as a heat source in vacuum metalizing. On a larger scale, it is used for furnace heating elements or as mesh element heaters. Tungsten is also used in various applications at high temperatures for example tungsten-tungsten rhenium thermocouples that are commonly used for high temperature control. An additional factor in its use at high temperature is its compatibility with other materials for example ceramics and glasses.
As tungsten has very high melting temperature, it is also a good electron emitter for which it is commonly used in different electronic equipments such as cathodes for emission at lower points. Tungsten heating elements are used for their better arc stability and longer life. Tungsten also finds applications in electrical circuits. It is used in low current applications for example in automotive ignition equipments. It is also used in rocket nozzles for its high temperature properties and potential to withstand the corrosive effects of the burning fuel. Low thermal expansion of tungsten makes it compatible with various glass and ceramics materials.