Tungsten/Copper Bar - Material Information

Tungsten-copper (W–Cu) composites are a class of pseudo-alloys that combine the refractory strength and high melting point of tungsten with the superior electrical and thermal conductivity of copper. These materials are non-alloyed composites, in which copper fills the interstitial spaces of a tungsten network, forming a unique dual-phase structure. W–Cu materials are prized for their high strength, wear resistance, and arc-erosion resistance, making them ideal for electrical contacts, electrodes, and high-temperature applications.

Material Overview

W–Cu composites typically contain 70–90 wt% tungsten, with the remainder being copper, which infiltrates the porous tungsten skeleton. The combination yields a high-density material with a melting point above 3000 °C (from tungsten) and excellent heat and electrical dissipation (from copper). Thermal conductivity ranges between 180–240 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹, while electrical conductivity is typically 45–55% IACS (Song et al., 2019). The low thermal expansion coefficient (~8 × 10?? K?¹) ensures dimensional stability under rapid temperature fluctuations. Microstructural refinements, such as submicron and nanostructuring, further enhance strength and hardness, producing values above 300 MPa and 180 HV respectively (Hou et al., 2019). In situ carbide reinforcement, achieved through carbonization of tungsten during sintering, significantly improves arc erosion and vacuum stability (Zhang et al., 2020).

Applications and Advantages

W–Cu bars are widely used in resistance welding electrodes, arcing contacts, heat sinks, and EDM tools. Their superior combination of conductivity and erosion resistance makes them critical in aerospace, nuclear, and semiconductor fabrication environments. Modern infiltration sintering methods using Cu-coated W powders yield dense, crack-free materials with homogeneous Cu–W networks and superior ablation resistance (Chen et al., 2017). The composite’s resistance to high-temperature deformation and chemical corrosion further enables its use in thermal management systems where both mechanical integrity and efficient heat transfer are crucial.

Goodfellow Availability

Goodfellow provides tungsten/copper composites in bar and other customizable forms for research and industrial applications requiring high strength, thermal conductivity, and oxidation resistance. Explore W–Cu and related refractory composites through the Goodfellow product finder.

References

• Chen, W., Shi, Y., Longlong, D., Wang, L., Li, H., & Fu, Y. Q. (2017). Infiltration sintering of WCu alloys from copper-coated tungsten composite powders for superior mechanical properties and arc-ablation resistance. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 727, 818–827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.08.164
• Hou, C., Song, X., Tang, F., Li, Y., Cao, L., Wang, J., & Nie, Z. (2019). W–Cu composites with submicron- and nanostructures: progress and challenges. NPG Asia Materials, 11(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41427-019-0179-x
• Zhang, Q., Yu, C., Baojiang, C., Liang, S., & Zhuo, L. (2020). Microstructure and properties of W–25 wt% Cu composites reinforced with tungsten carbide produced by an in situ reaction. Vacuum, 179, 109423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vacuum.2020.109423
• Dong, L., Ahangarkani, M., Chen, W. G., & Zhang, Y. (2018). Recent progress in development of tungsten–copper composites: fabrication, modification and applications. International Journal of Refractory Metals & Hard Materials, 76, 172–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2018.03.014
• Wang, X., Su, Y., Wang, X., Liu, K., Zhang, L., Ouyang, Q., & Zhang, D.-B. (2022). Fabrication, mechanical and thermal properties of tungsten–copper coated graphite flakes reinforced copper matrix composites. Materials & Design, 217, 110526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2022.110526