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Tungsten, known also as wolfram, is a transitional element that belongs


to group VIb of the periodic system, together with molybdenum and
chromium. Tungsten is not oxidized in air at ordinary temperatures and
is highly resistant to acids. Its chemical properties resemble those of
molybdenum. Tungsten was used extensively for the filaments of old-
style incandescent light bulbs, but these have been phased out in many
countries. This is because they are not very energy efficient; they
produce much more heat than light. Tungsten has the highest melting
point of all metals and is alloyed with other metals to strengthen them.
Tungsten and its alloys are used in many high-temperature applications,
such as arc-welding electrodes and heating elements in high-temperature
furnaces.

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