into inert N₂ gas.

Another modern-day use of tungsten is as a lubricant, like molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). Tungsten disulfide (WS₂) is a lubricant with a dynamic coefficient of friction of ~0.03. Tungsten disulfide can be used at temperatures of 583 °C and 1316 °C in air and vacuum, respectively. These characteristics allow this lubricant to operate in extreme conditions.