Tungsten: The Metal of Extremes—And Why Its Supply Chain Is Breaking

Tungsten (W) is the silent workhorse of the modern world. From deep-earth drilling to orbital mechanics, it is the material engineers turn to when everything else fails.

But while the metal itself is unbreakable, its supply chain is not.

This graphic visualizes the three "superpowers" of tungsten—and why a massive

geopolitical imbalance has sent prices soaring.

The Power of Tungsten: 3 Irreplaceable Traits

Tungsten's value is anchored in physical extremes that make it non-negotiable for defense and high-tech sectors:

Trait	The Stat	The Application
Highest Melting Point	3,422°C	The highest of all metals. Essential for rocket nozzles and fusion reactor linings.
Near-Diamond Hardness	Mohs 9.5	As Tungsten Carbide (WC), it drives 65% of consumption, forming the cutting tools that build the modern world.
Extreme Density	19.3 g/cm³	1.7x denser than lead. Critical for armor-piercing ammunition and aerospace ballast.

The Geopolitical Chokehold: China's Dominance

Despite its critical role, tungsten production is dangerously concentrated. As of Jan 2025 (USGS), China controls 82% of global production and 51% of reserves.

This structural monopoly has now been activated:

• The Squeeze: New export licensing rules from Beijing (effective Feb 2025) have severed the primary supply artery to the West.

• The Price Shock: Benchmark prices (APT) have doubled since early 2024, stabilizing above RMB 500,000/ton as Chinese exports slow.

• The Freeze: According to the Washington Post, U.S. importers secured zero export licenses from China in 2025 due to heightened national security scrutiny.

Breaking the Monopoly

Diversification is no longer optional; it is a strategic imperative.

Efforts are underway to bypass Beijing's chokehold. U.S.-backed projects in Vietnam and Rwanda aim to add 20,000+ tons/year by 2028, while recycling initiatives target 40% of domestic supply.

The Bottom Line: Tungsten enables extreme performance, but the market is learning a hard lesson: the most dangerous property of this metal isn't physical, but geopolitical.

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Data Sources: Production data via USGS (Jan 2025). Price benchmarks via Shanghai Metal Market (Dec 2025). Geopolitical reporting via The Washington Post.

Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Not investment advice. Commodity markets are volatile. Conduct your own due diligence.