What Is Tungsten Copper?

Tungsten copper alloy (Copper Tungsten, CuW, or WCu) is a pseudo-alloy of copper and tungsten. As copper and tungsten are not mutually soluble, the material is composed of distinct particles of one metal dispersed in a matrix of the other one. The microstructure is therefore rather a metal matrix composite than a true alloy.The alloy combines the properties of both metals, resulting in a material that is heat-resistant, ablation-resistant, highly thermally and electrically conductive, and easy to machine.Parts are made from the WCu alloy by pressing the tungsten particles into a desired shape, sintering the compacted part, then infiltrating with molten copper. Sheets, rods and bars of the alloy are available as well.

Copper Tungsten Alloy Powder

Copper tungsten alloy powder is used in injection molds for mold pressing parts as well as extrusion pressing. It is also used as a die lubricant in molds. The alloy is machined in a factory setting to make highly complex and intricate components such as microprocessors. It is also used to make parts of microwave communication systems and other electronic technologies.

Copper Tungsten Alloy Applications

Copper tungsten alloy is used when a product or part needs to have a high heat resistance, low thermal expansion and high electrical or thermal conductivity. Tungsten copper alloy is used to make engines and electrical devices. It is also used in the fields of aviation and spaceflight. Electrodes, refractory parts, heat sinks, rocket parts and electrical contacts are all made out of WCu alloy. The alloy is also made into sheet metal, tubing and plate metal. WCu alloy is used to make contacts for both high and low voltage electrical devices, and for high speed steel devices and switches. 

The Spark Erosion (EDM) process calls for copper tungsten. Usually this process is used with graphite, but tungsten has a high melting point. This allows the CuW electrodes to have a longer service life than the graphite electrodes. This is crucial when the electrodes have been processed with complex machining. Since the electrodes are susceptible to wear the electrodes provide more geometrical accuracy than the other electrodes. These properties also let the rods and tubes manufactured for spark erosion be made smaller in diameter and have a longer length since the material is less likely to chip and warp.