Tungsten Copper Electrical Contact Material
1. What's Tungsten Copper Electrical Contact Material?
Tungsten copper electrical contact material is electrical contact component composed of tungsten and copper, combining high melting point and arc-erosion resistance of tungsten with good electrical and thermal conductivity of copper. Suitable for carrying electrical current, frequent switching operations, and withstanding arc impacts, tungsten-copper contact serves as primary application form, widely used in contacts, and arcing components within medium-to-high voltage, high-current switching equipment.
2. Characteristics of CTIA's Tungsten Copper Electrical Contact Material
(1) Arc Erosion Resistance for Reduced Contact Wear: Tungsten has high melting point and good high-temperature stability, helping resist melting and arc erosion on the contact surface during switching operations, reduce material loss, and withstand frequent operation and high arc loads.
(2) Resistance to Contact Welding: Tungsten copper material offers good resistance to contact welding, reducing the risk of localized melting and contact sticking under high temperatures, high currents, and contact pressure, and helping ensure reliable contact separation during switching operations.
(3) Electrical and Thermal Conductivity for Reduced Heat Buildup: The copper phase helps conduct current and dissipate heat, reducing resistive heat buildup around the contact area, while adjustments to the tungsten-to-copper ratio allow electrical and thermal conductivity to be tailored to operating requirements, with higher copper content generally favoring current conduction and heat dissipation.
(4) High Mechanical Strength and Wear Resistance: The tungsten phase helps improve material strength and wear resistance, allowing tungsten copper contacts to withstand contact pressure, mechanical impact, and friction during repeated switching operations, making them suitable for applications with demanding mechanical and arc erosion resistance requirements.
(5) Low Thermal Expansion for Dimensional Stability: Tungsten has low coefficient of thermal expansion, helping limit dimensional changes caused by temperature fluctuations and maintain contact dimensions, contact conditions, and assembly fit.
(6) Adjustable Tungsten-Copper Ratios for Different Switching Conditions: Adjusting the tungsten-to-copper ratio helps balance arc erosion resistance, mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity, with higher tungsten content generally improving arc erosion and wear resistance, while higher copper content favors electrical and thermal conductivity.
3. Applications of CTIA's Tungsten Copper Electrical Contact Material
(1) Power Switchgear: Used as arcing contacts in medium-to-high voltage circuit breakers and arc-resistant contacts in load switches, reducing arc erosion and contact welding during current interruption.
(2) Power Grid Isolation & Switching Equipment: Used for contacts in disconnectors (isolators) and tap-changer contacts in transformer on-load tap changers (OLTC), meeting conductivity and arc-resistance demands during circuit switching.
(3) Vacuum Switchgear: Used for dedicated contacts in vacuum circuit breakers and breaking contacts in vacuum contactors, fulfilling structural and material demands under specific interruption conditions.
(4) Discharge & Overvoltage Protection Devices: Used for discharge electrodes in spark gaps and erosion-resistant components in overvoltage protection units, withstanding arc impacts from instantaneous discharges to minimize electrode loss.
(5) High-Current Switchgear: Used as contact inserts and composite contacts in high-current switches, balancing erosion resistance and conductivity demands in arcing-prone areas.
4. Common Grades of CTIA's Tungsten Copper Electrical Contact Material
Common grades and typical performance parameters of CTIA's tungsten copper electrical contact material are shown in picture below:
5. Specifications of CTIA's Tungsten Copper Electrical Contact Material
(1) Material Compositions: W50Cu50, W55Cu45, W60Cu40, W65Cu35, W70Cu30, W75Cu25, W80Cu20, W85Cu15, W90Cu10, etc.
(2) Copper Content: Approx. 10% – 50%
(3) Product Forms: Contact plates, contact blocks, cylinders, discs, composite contacts, and custom-shaped contact components.
(4) Dimensions & Tolerances: Customized according to customer requirements.
With nearly 30 years of experience in tungsten copper alloy manufacturing, CTIA GROUP combines powder metallurgy expertise with precision machining capabilities. CTIA provides material grade selection, structural design, dimensional customization, and precision machining solutions tailored to rated voltage, operating current, interruption conditions, and contact structure of switching equipment.
For any inquiry, please contact tungsten copper manufacturer: CTIA GROUP
Email: sales@chinatungsten.com
Tel: 0086 592 5129696 / 0086 592 5129595
Website: tungsten-copper.com
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