Copper Tungsten

 

 

Composites Typical Properties

T & D Materials

RWMA
Group B

Nominal Composition
% Weight

Rockwell Hardness

Electrical Conductivity
% IACS

Ultimate Tensile Strength
PSI

Cross Breaking Strength
PSI

Density
GMS/CC

H1W

 

55% Tungsten
45% Copper

79 B

55

63,000

110,000

12.5

H3W

 

68% Tungsten
32% Copper

88 B

52

75,000

130,000

13.93

H5W

 

68% Tungsten
32% Copper

88 B

52

75,000

130,000

13.93

H15W

 

70% Tungsten
30% Copper

90 B

50

85,000

140,000

14.18

H10W

Class 11

75% Tungsten
25% Copper

94 B

48

90,000

150,000

14.7

H20W

Class 11

78% Tungsten
22% Copper

96 B

46

94,000

160,000

15.12

H30W

 

80% Tungsten
20% Copper

98 B

44

96,000

170,000

15.56

H10WA
**

 

75% Tungsten
25% Copper Alloy
** Fully Heat Treated

109 B

28

96,000

170,000

15.56

H5TC

 

50% Tungsten-Carbide
50% Copper

94 B

47

70,000

140,000

11.27

H10TC

 

56% Tungsten-Carbide
44% Copper

99 B

42

75,000

160,000

11.67

H20TC

 

70% Tungsten-Carbide3
0% Copper

37 C

30

85,000

180,000

12.6

HTCWA
**

 

70% Tungsten-Carbide
30% Copper-Alloy
** Fully Heat Treated

47 C

18

150,000

220,000

12.6

H35S

 

65% Tungsten
35% Silver

87 B

53

 

 

14.5

H20S

 

74% Tungsten
26% Silver

90 B

47

70,000

130,000

15.5

H50S

 

50% Tungsten
50% Silver

70 B

65

35,000

80,000

13.4

HG-13

 

50% Tungsten Carbide
50% Silver

79 B

47

40,000

115,000

12.2

HG-14

 

60% Tungsten Carbide
40% Silver

95 B

40

55,000

120,000

12.8

HG-17

 

60% Molybdenum
40% Silver

80 B

47

 

 

10.2

 

 

Applications of Copper Tungsten Composites

Resistance Welding Electrodes - Heat Sinks - Electrical Contacts - EDM & ECM Electrodes

T & D refractory metal composite materials are a combination of tungsten or tungsten carbide and copper or silver. The manufacturing process is to press the refractory (tungsten or tungsten carbide), sinter the pressed compact at a high temperature, and infiltrate with copper or silver. All of this is done under very closely controlled conditions. The result is a relatively hard material with superior arc and wear resistance, high physical properties at elevated temperatures, and good electrical and thermal conductivity.

The mechanical and physical properties vary with composition. The thermal and electrical conductivity increase with the amount of copper and silver, while the hardness, strength, and resistance to mechanical wear increase with the amount of tungsten or tungsten carbide. The application determines the material choice.

Resistance Welding

The high physical and mechanical properties, as well as the thermal and electrical conductivity, of refractory metal composites make these materials very suitable for die inserts and electrode facings, flash and butt welding dies, and hot upsetting. They can also solve heat balance problems.

Heat Sinks

T & D Materials., Ltd developed Thermitech to be used extensively in thermal mounting plates, chip carriers, flanges, and frames for high-power electronic devices. As a copper tungsten material, it's a composite, so both the thermal advantages of copper and the very low expansion characteristics of tungsten can be utilized.

The combination of these two materials results in thermal expansion characteristics similar to those of silicone carbide, aluminum oxide, and beryllium oxide, used as chips and substrates. Because of its thermal conductivity and expansion characteristics, it works well in densely packed circuits.

Electrical Contacts

T & D Materials developed Elecon materials to be used in oil-filled devices, air and gas circuit breakers, contactors, and high voltage switch gear. Some common applications are

All of our materials are produced by the press, sinter, and infiltrate process. Each manufacturing step, including the basic powder, is closely controlled, monitored, and signed off on by Quality Assurance. After completion, all manufactured lots are checked for conductivity, density, and hardness prior to shipping. This information is recorded and kept on file, and also accompanies the parts or materials when requested.

EDM and ECM

T & D Materials’s tungsten composites are used worldwide for EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) and ECM (Electrochemical Machining) electrodes. All material is manufactured by the press, sinter, and infiltrate process. Virgin powders are used, resulting in a consistent homogeneous material giving high and even burning rates.  Copper tungsten is used in plunger/sinker applications where intricate definition is required, especially in tungsten carbide