W80Cu20 (also known as CuW80 or CuW20, the naming difference comes from the ratio expression method) is a tungsten-copper alloy material, production process and product advantages:

1. Production process

Powder metallurgy method:

Powdering and mixing: Use high-purity tungsten powder (W) and oxygen-free copper powder (Cu), and mix them in a ratio of 80% tungsten and 20% copper to ensure uniform composition.

Pressing and forming: The mixed powder is pressed into a blank through isostatic pressing technology to ensure the density and shape accuracy of the material.

High-temperature sintering and copper infiltration: Sinter the tungsten skeleton at high temperature, and then fill the copper into the pores of the tungsten skeleton through the melt infiltration process to form a dense structure. Some processes use a two-step melt infiltration method (sintering the tungsten skeleton first and then infiltrating copper). Compared with the one-step method, its microstructure is more uniform and its arc erosion resistance is better.

Cold processing: The sintered material is further processed into finished products such as plates and bars through cold rolling, milling and other processes.

Friction welding technology:

For composite parts, friction welding technology can be used to connect pure copper to W80Cu20 alloy. The joint strength is equivalent to that of the copper matrix, the grains are fine and the heat-affected zone is thin, the efficiency is high and the cost is low.

2. Product advantages

Excellent comprehensive performance:

High temperature resistance and arc ablation resistance: The high melting point of tungsten (3410℃) and the endothermic evaporation characteristics of copper make it perform well in high temperature environments (such as rocket nozzles and spark electrodes) and can withstand extreme heat loads.

Electrical and thermal conductivity: Copper's high electrical conductivity (54-27% IACS) and thermal conductivity (thermal conductivity 27-49 W/mK) make it suitable for high-power electronic packaging, radiators and other scenarios.

Mechanical strength: Flexural strength reaches 3.2-6.5 MPa, hardness 115-260, and has both high wear resistance and resistance to plastic deformation.

Processing adaptability:

Easy processing: The material can be processed into complex shapes through grinding, milling and other processes, and the surface treatment is flexible (such as nickel/gold plating), which can meet the needs of precision parts.

Thermal expansion matching: By adjusting the tungsten-copper ratio, the thermal expansion coefficient (5.6-7.0×10⁻⁶/K) can be adjusted, which is compatible with materials such as ceramics and semiconductors and is suitable for electronic packaging substrates.

Wide application areas:

Electrode machining: In EDM, W80Cu20 electrode has low loss rate (only 8.33%), high processing efficiency (highest MRR), and excellent surface quality.

Aerospace and military industry: used for high-temperature components such as missile gas rudders, rocket engine nozzles, and high-power RF device packaging.

Electronics and power: As a high-voltage switch contact and lead frame material, it has both arc resistance and thermal conductivity.