Wolframite

Wolframite

Infobox mineral
name = Wolframite
category =
boxwidth =
boxbgcolor =


imagesize = 150
caption =
formula = (Fe,Mn)WO4
molweight =
color = Black (ferberite) to brown (huebnerite)
habit = Tabular crystals, sometimes prismatic
system = Monoclinic 2/m
twinning =
cleavage = Perfect 010
fracture = Uneven to rough
mohs = 4-4.5
luster = Submetallic to resinous
refractive = Opaque
opticalprop =
birefringence =
pleochroism = None
streak = Black to brown
gravity = 7 - 7.5
density =
melt =
fusibility = 3 - 4 to magnetic globule
diagnostic =
solubility = Insoluble
diaphaneity =
other =

Wolframite (Fe,Mn)WO4, is an iron manganese tungstate mineral that is the intermediate between ferberite (Fe2+ rich) and huebernite (Mn2+ rich). Along with scheelite, the wolframite series are the most important tungsten ore minerals. Wolframite is found in quartz veins and pegmatites associated with granitic intrusives. Associated minerals include cassiterite, scheelite, bismuth, quartz, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, and arsenopyrite.

It was historically found in Bohemia, Saxony, and Cornwall. China reportedly has the world's largest supply of tungsten ore with about 60%. Other producers are Portugal, Russia, Australia, Thailand, Korea, Bolivia, and the United States.

The name comes from German "Wolfram" for tungsten [cite web
url = http://elements.vanderkrogt.net/elem/w.html
publisher = Elementymology & Elements Multidict
title = Wolframium Wolfram Tungsten
author = Peter van der Krogt
date =
accessdate = 2008-05-14 ] and provides the chemical symbol, W, for tungsten.

Wolframite was highly valued as the main source of the metal tungsten, a strong and dense material with many military uses. In WWII wolframite mines were a strategic asset as the metal was used in munitions. German industrial tools mostly used tungsten carbide. Also, tungsten was used in specialized armor piercing ammunition. This importance has decreased with the increasing use of depleted uranium for many of these applications.

ee also

*List of minerals

References


* [http://webmineral.com/data/Wolframite.shtml Webmineral data]
* [http://www.mindat.org/min-4305.html Mindat.org]
* [http://www.spiritone.com/~gdy52150/goldp6.html spiritone.com]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Wolframite — Catégorie IV : oxydes et hydroxydes[1] Wolframite et apatite (violet) Panasquiera Portugal (18x13cm) …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Wolframite — Wol fram*ite, n. [G., wolframit, wolfram; wolf wolf + rahm cream, soot; cf. G. wolfsruss wolfram, lit., wolf s soot.] (Min.) Tungstate of iron and manganese, generally of a brownish or grayish black color, submetallic luster, and high specific… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • wolframite — [wool′frə mīt΄] n. [Ger wolframit: see WOLFRAM] a semihard, heavy, dark colored, monoclinic mineral, (Fe,Mn)WO4, the chief ore of tungsten; iron manganese tungstate …   English World dictionary

  • wolframite — wolfram [ vɔlfram ] n. m. • 1759; mot all. (XVIe), probablt de Wolf « loup » et Rahm « crème » ♦ Principal minerai de tungstène, tungstate naturel de fer et de manganèse, noirâtre. Mines de wolfram. On dit aussi WOLFRAMITE n. f. , 1892 .… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • wolframite — /wool freuh muyt , vawl /, n. a mineral, iron manganese tungstate, (Fe,Mn)WO4, occurring in heavy grayish black to brownish black tabular or bladed crystals: an important ore of tungsten. Also, wolfram. [1865 70; WOLFRAM + ITE1] * * * ▪ mineral… …   Universalium

  • wolframite — volframitas statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Mineralas. formulė (Mn,Fe)[WO₄] atitikmenys: angl. wolframite rus. вольфрамит …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • wolframite — volframitas statusas T sritis chemija formulė M₂WO₃ atitikmenys: angl. wolframite rus. вольфрамит ryšiai: sinonimas – trioksovolframatas (2–) …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • wolframite — noun Etymology: German Wolframit, from Wolfram Date: circa 1868 a brown to black mineral that consists of a tungstate of iron and manganese occurring especially in monoclinic crystals and used as a source of tungsten …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • wolframite — noun A mineral that consists of a tungstate of iron and manganese; (Fe,Mn)WO …   Wiktionary

  • wolframite — wol·fra·mì·te s.f. TS mineral. minerale di notevole interesse economico, di colore nero, costituito da wolframato di ferro e manganese, che cristallizza nel sistema monoclino ed è utilizzato per l estrazione di wolframio {{line}} {{/line}} DATA:… …   Dizionario italiano

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