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W-Cu Tungsten Copper Contact Tips | High Voltage & EDM Solutions
W-Cu Tungsten Copper Contact Tips | High Voltage & EDM Solutions
W-Cu Tungsten Copper Contact Tips: High-Conductivity Infiltration
Combining 3410°C thermal stability with peak electrical pathways for high-voltage grid switches and precision EDM electrodes.
Balancing the Physical Limits of Arc Erosion
In high-voltage power distribution—such as SF6 Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) and heavy-duty DC contactors—electrical arcing can easily vaporize standard silver or copper contacts. To withstand this thermal shock, engineers rely on W-Cu (Tungsten Copper) alloys. Since tungsten and copper are mutually insoluble, they cannot form a traditional metallurgical alloy. Instead, they form a pseudo-alloy framework that relies on a matrix of two distinct melting points.
The Vacuum Infiltration Secret
At CD Silver (cdsilver.com), we do not simply press and sinter mixed powders. Our premium CD-W80Cu20 and CD-W70Cu30 series are manufactured using a precise Vacuum Hydrogen Infiltration Process:
- The Tungsten Skeleton: Purity-controlled tungsten powder is pressed and sintered to form a highly porous, rigid crystalline skeleton.
- Liquid Copper Capillary Action: Molten, oxygen-free copper is then drawn into the tungsten skeleton under a vacuum environment, filling every microscopic void.
- The Resulting Synergy: During intense electrical arcing, the copper phase melts and evaporates, absorbing the vast majority of the thermal energy (sweating cooling effect), while the rigid tungsten skeleton remains intact to prevent geometric deformation.
Rigorous Engineering Parameter Control
| CD Grade | Composition Ratio | Conductivity (% IACS) | Sintered Density | Precision Geometry Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD-W80Cu20 | 80% W, 20% Cu | ≥ 34% IACS | ≥ 15.2 g/cm³ | Thickness: ±0.04 mm |
| CD-W75Cu25 | 75% W, 25% Cu | ≥ 38% IACS | ≥ 14.5 g/cm³ | Width/Length: ±0.05 mm |
| CD-W70Cu30 | 70% W, 30% Cu | ≥ 42% IACS | ≥ 14.1 g/cm³ | Angles: ±0.5° Precision |
100% Eddy Current Conductivity Testing
Every single batch of W-Cu tips manufactured by CD Silver passes through a non-destructive Eddy Current Conductivity Analyzer. This ensure that the copper distribution is completely uniform across the entire surface profile, mitigating the risk of hot-spots and ensuring reliable, localized cooling during continuous high-amperage cycles.