Copper Tungsten Electrode

Copper Tungsten alloy is the composite of Tungsten and Copper, which own the excellent performances of Tungsten and Copper, such as heat-resistant, ablate-resistant, high-intensity, excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. It is easy to be machined. It is used widely in such industries as engine, electrical power, electron, metallurgy, spaceflight and aviation. Using CIP formation, sintered tungsten skeleton and infiltrating copper (silver) technology, large size and special shape products of tungsten-copper (silver) composites with 6-90 percent of copper are produced, such as electric contacts, electrode, refractory parts, heat sinks and parts of rocket, We can also produce sheet material, tubing, plate and other small products by mold pressing, extrusion pressing and MIM.

Why Choose Tungsten-Copper Alloy Electrode: 

Excellent electrical conductivity: Copper is one of the metals with the best electrical conductivity, tungsten-copper alloy electrode inherits the excellent electrical conductivity of copper, which reduces energy loss and improves processing efficiency.

Excellent thermal conductivity: Copper has good thermal conductivity, which makes tungsten-copper alloy electrode able to quickly emit heat during the working process, reducing overheating and deformation of the electrode.

High melting point and high hardness: The melting point of tungsten is as high as 3422℃, which makes tungsten-copper alloy electrodes have good stability under high temperature environment, and not easy to melt or deform. The high hardness of tungsten also improves the wear resistance of the electrode.

Good ablation resistance: Under high current and arc environment, tungsten-copper alloy electrode shows good ablation resistance, which prolongs the service life of the electrode.

Low coefficient of thermal expansion: Combined with the low coefficient of thermal expansion of tungsten, the alloy is not easy to be deformed when the temperature changes, which ensures the machining precision.

Machinability: Tungsten-copper alloy electrodes can be machined into various shapes and sizes through machining and EDM to meet different processing needs.

Customizability: The ratio of tungsten and copper can be flexibly adjusted according to the actual application requirements to obtain the best performance.

FOTMA has advanced production equipment and rich processing experience, which can provide customers with high-quality tungsten copper alloy electrode products. Our processing capabilities include: 

Precision machining: Using high-precision CNC machine tools, various complex shapes can be precision machined according to customer drawings or samples, ensuring product dimensional accuracy and surface smoothness.

Electric Discharge Machining (EDM): Equipped with advanced EDM equipment, it can accurately machine various complex shapes and microstructures of electrodes, meeting the requirements of high-precision machining.

Powder metallurgy: Advanced powder metallurgy technology is used to precisely control the tungsten copper ratio, ensuring the uniformity and performance stability of the material.

Customized production: We can provide customized tungsten copper alloy electrode products according to customers’ specific application needs, including material ratio, size, shape, etc.

Strict quality control: Each batch of electrodes produced undergoes rigorous quality testing to ensure that the products meet the highest quality standards.

Copper tungsten alloy electrodes Applications:

Electro discharge machining (EDM) electrode: Mold manufacturing, precision parts processing, metal cutting, etc.

Resistance welding electrode: Automobile manufacturing, electronics industry, metal processing, etc.

Plasma cutting electrode: Metal cutting, manufacturing industry.

Vacuum arc furnace electrode: Special alloy smelting, vacuum metallurgy, etc.

High voltage switch electrical contacts: High voltage electrical equipment, substations, etc.

Thermal spraying electrodes: Surface spraying, material repair

• Aerospace | Thomas Mitchell (USA)

How an aerospace procurement manager sourced 99.97% pure tungsten rods with custom specs and received delivery in half the expected lead time… Read Full Case Study

• Automotive | Marco Rossi (Italy)

How a car modification expert used custom CNC-machined tungsten alloy weights to fine-tune a vintage sports car’s handling—just in time for a major auto show… Read Full Case Study

• Electronics | Dr. Elena Carter (Canada)

How a semiconductor engineer replaced aluminum with MoCu heat sinks, improving thermal performance by 20°C while meeting aerospace-grade standards…  Read Full Case Study

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a copper tungsten electrode used for?

A1: Copper tungsten electrodes are used in a wide range of thermal and electrical applications, including:

• Electrical discharge machining (EDM) for mold manufacturing and precision metal cutting

• Resistance welding in automotive and electronics manufacturing

• Plasma cutting for industrial metal processing

• Vacuum arc furnaces for special alloy melting

• High-voltage switchgear contacts

• Thermal spraying electrodes for surface restoration and material coating

Q2: What are the key advantages of copper tungsten electrodes?

A2: These electrodes combine the high melting point and wear resistance of tungsten with the electrical and thermal conductivity of copper, resulting in:

• Excellent arc erosion resistance

• High mechanical strength at elevated temperatures

• Good machinability

• Consistent performance under thermal cycling

Q3: What compositions of WCu electrodes are available?

A3: Common copper tungsten compositions include:

• W70Cu30

• W75Cu25

• W80Cu20

  Higher tungsten content improves hardness and erosion resistance, while higher copper enhances conductivity.

Q4: Can FOTMA customize electrode sizes or shapes?

A4: Yes. FOTMA offers full OEM machining, including:

• Round rods, discs, and tip shapes

• Threaded or grooved designs

• Production according to customer technical drawings

Q5: What industries benefit from using copper tungsten electrodes?

A5: These electrodes are commonly used in:

• Aerospace and automotive (precision welding and cutting)

• Semiconductors and electronics (EDM and die sinking)

• Metalworking and tooling

• Power generation and substations