Tungsten Copper Alloy (W Cu)

WCu is readily machinable and known for good thermal and electrical conductivity, low thermal expansion, being non-magnetic, good performance under vacuum, and resistance to erosion from arcing.

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Tungsten copper bar beside a stack of three machined tungsten copper plates

Tungsten Copper Alloy Overview

Consisting of pure tungsten (W) powder suspended in a matrix of copper (Cu), these alloys are readily machinable and known for good thermal and electrical conductivity, low thermal expansion, being non-magnetic, good performance under vacuum, and resistance to erosion from arcing. Thus, they are often used as electrical contacts, particularly in high voltage applications. Most sizes and shapes can be supplied with short lead times. We can also manufacture parts from these materials to your specifications.

Tungsten Copper Alloy Properties & Uses

Tungsten Copper Alloy Advantages

High arc resistance combined with good electrical conductivity
High thermal conductivity
Low thermal expansion

Tungsten Copper Alloy Applications

Electrodes for resistance welding
Arc contacts and vacuum contacts in high/medium voltage breakers or vacuum interrupters
Electrodes in electric spark erosion (EDM) cutting machines
Heat sinks and heat spreaders for passive cooling of electronic devices
Electronic packaging materials
Radio base station components
IGBT modules for hybrid-electric (HEV) and full-electric (EV) vehicles

Resistance Welding (RWMA) Classes

Resistance Welding Manufacturers' Association (RWMA) Group B covers refractory-metal electrode materials. MTS stocks these grades:

RWMA Class	Material	ASTM B702
Class 10	55% tungsten / 45% copper (55W45Cu)	-
Class 11	75% tungsten / 25% copper (75W25Cu)	Class D
Class 12	80% tungsten / 20% copper (80W20Cu)	Class E
Class 13	Pure tungsten	-
Class 14	Pure molybdenum	-

68W32Cu and 70W30Cu meet ASTM B702 Class C. Material certifications are available on request with purchase.

Tungsten Copper Alloy Properties

Composition	Density gr/cc	IACS %	Hardness HB Kgf/mm2	Bend Strength MPa
W55 Cu45	12.30	49	125	-
W60 Cu40	12.75	47	140	-
W65 Cu35	13.30	44	155	-
W68 Cu32	13.93	43	165	-
W70 Cu30	14.18	42	175	667
W75 Cu25	14.50	38	195	706
W80 Cu20	15.15	34	220	736
W85 Cu15	15.90	30	240	765
W90 Cu10	16.75	27	260	804

Custom Tungsten Copper Alloy Solutions

While tungsten’s extreme hardness and high melting point make it notoriously difficult to machine, our experienced team specializes in taming this "unmachinable" metal. Using a combination of multi-axis CNC milling and advanced EDM drilling, we manufacture complex tungsten components to your exact prints with tolerances as tight as ±0.0005". Whether you need custom-sized raw materials or intricate finished parts, we deliver precision-engineered solutions with industry-leading speed.

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