W80Cu20 (also known as CuW80 or CuW20) copper tube is a tungsten-copper alloy material, which is composed of 80% tungsten (W) and 20% copper (Cu). Production process and product advantages:

1. Production process

Powder metallurgy and isostatic pressing

The raw materials are high-purity tungsten powder and oxygen-free copper powder. The isostatic pressing technology is used to ensure that the material ratio is accurate and the structure is fine. This step can effectively improve the uniformity and density of the material.

High-temperature sintering and vacuum infiltration

The formed blank is sintered at high temperature, and then the copper is infiltrated into the tungsten skeleton through the vacuum infiltration process. Among them, the two-step skeleton infiltration process (sintering the tungsten skeleton first and then infiltrating copper) is better than the one-step method, and a more uniform microstructure (copper phase size 4~6μm) can be obtained, thereby improving the hardness, bending strength and arc ablation resistance of the material. The induced copper content and the composition of the infiltration sheet need to be optimized in the infiltration process to ensure the bonding strength.

Subsequent processing

The infiltrated billet can be processed into tubes through drawing, rolling and other processes, and combined with annealing (such as online annealing) to improve the ductility of the material. For copper tubes with complex shapes, friction welding technology can also be used. Its joint strength is equivalent to that of pure copper and the heat-affected zone is thin, which is suitable for efficient production of composite components.

2. Product advantages

Excellent electrothermal performance

High electrical conductivity (electrical conductivity ≥ 42% IACS) and thermal conductivity (thermal conductivity is about 200 W/mK), suitable for high-power electronic device packaging and heat sinks.

Low thermal expansion coefficient (7.0×10⁻⁶/K), good matching with ceramics, chips and other materials, reducing thermal stress.

High temperature resistance and arc ablation resistance

The high melting point of tungsten (3410℃) gives the material high temperature resistance, and the thermal conductivity of copper can quickly dissipate heat. The synergistic effect of the two makes it have significant ablation resistance in an arc environment, stable cutoff value, and small surface damage.

When used as an EDM electrode, the material removal rate is high (MRR is the highest) and the electrode wear rate is low (EWR is only 8.33%), and the processing surface quality is excellent.

Mechanical properties and processing adaptability

High density (15.5 g/cm³), high strength (HB hardness ≥1375 MPa) and wear resistance, suitable for harsh working conditions such as high-voltage discharge electrodes and welding electrodes.

Good machining performance, can be made into bars, plates, pipes and special-shaped parts to meet customized needs.

Corrosion resistance and long life

It shows high corrosion resistance in environments such as SF6 circuit breakers, and the surface morphology is uniform after arc ablation, which prolongs the service life.