6. Alloys

In 1981, tungsten consumption in market economy countries was 25,000 t, of which :

• 55% for the manufacture of cemented carbides ;

• 20% for tool steels, which will not be discussed here since tungsten is in the minority (see refractory steels and alloys [M 325] in this treatise);

• 15% in the form of tungsten metal and alloys and, principally: heavy metal, infiltrated tungsten, doped tungsten, W-Re alloy; article Refractory steels and alloys [M 325] in the present treaty;

• 10% for superalloys (which we won't go into here) and the preparation of certain compounds for electronics, calatyse,...