The materials behind modern industry.

Tungsten’s strategic value comes from the different properties of its metal, alloys, and compounds. Tungsten metal withstands extremely high temperatures, while selected tungsten alloys provide high density and tungsten carbide delivers exceptional hardness and wear resistance. These characteristics support demanding aerospace and defense applications, including selected armor-piercing materials and components where weight, durability, or thermal performance is essential.

Beyond defense, tungsten plays a central role in industrial productivity. Cemented tungsten carbide is widely used in cutting tools, drilling equipment, and wear-resistant parts for construction, mining, metalworking, and energy industries. These materials help manufacturers machine demanding components and maintain reliable equipment performance in abrasive operating environments.

Tungsten also contributes to electrical and electronic technologies. Its uses include electrodes, wires, filaments, and components for heating, lighting, and welding. High-density tungsten materials are used in selected radiation-shielding applications, connecting the mineral’s industrial importance with specialized medical and technical equipment.

Reliable supply is therefore a strategic concern. The USGS’s 2026 summary reports that tungsten has not been mined commercially in the United States since 2015, although domestic companies process tungsten-bearing feedstocks and scrap. China remains the leading producer, and export controls on selected tungsten products have added to supply-chain uncertainty. Diversified sourcing, recycling, and technically viable resource development can help strengthen access to this important industrial material.

Antimony contributes to defense manufacturing through antimony-bearing lead alloys and compounds used in selected ammunition and primer applications. Beyond defense, its compounds are widely used in flame-retardant systems, while other applications include glass, ceramics, and rubber products. These varied uses connect antimony to the performance and safety requirements of modern industrial products.

Antimony also supports specialized electronic technologies. High-purity antimony is used in selected semiconductor applications, including infrared detectors and diodes. These uses link the mineral to sensing and electronic devices where material purity and consistent performance are important. Advanced applications depend on suitable processing and product specifications—not simply access to raw ore.

Energy storage represents both an established use and an area of development. Antimonial lead is used in selected lead-acid battery components, with recycling recovering material from spent batteries. Antimony-based liquid-metal batteries have also been investigated for stationary storage, although such emerging technologies should not be confused with established market demand.

Supply-chain resilience is a central issue. The USGS’s 2026 summary reports substantial U.S. import dependence and concentration of global mine supply, alongside new domestic mining activity and continuing recycling. Export restrictions and limited alternative sources underscore the importance of diversified sourcing, processing capability, and responsible resource evaluation for this strategically important mineral.