Tungsten Copper Electrical Contact
1. What's Tungsten Copper Electrical Contact?
Tungsten copper electrical contact is metal composite electrical contact component manufactured through powder metallurgy, sintering, and copper infiltration processes using tungsten powder and copper powder. Tungsten and copper primarily exist as independent phases, without forming conventional homogeneous solid solutions or intermetallic compounds. Tungsten phase provides high-temperature resistance and arc-erosion resistance, while copper phase undertakes current and heat conduction. CTIA's tungsten copper electrical contacts undertake current making, carrying, and breaking functions in switching appliances; contact resistance stability, arc-erosion resistance, and anti-welding performance directly affect operational reliability of switchgear.
2. Characteristics of CTIA's Tungsten Copper Electrical Contact
(1) Stable Contact Resistance for Reliable Current Conduction: The copper phase provides conductive pathways and helps reduce resistance at the contact interface, minimizing localized temperature rise caused by poor electrical contact.
(2) Arc-Erosion Resistance & Reduced Contact Loss: High melting point and high-temperature resistance of tungsten phase enhance contact ability to resist arc erosion, mitigating material loss caused by repeated interruption.
(3) Anti-Welding Resistance & Enhanced Breaking Reliability: Tungsten phase helps reduce local melting and material sticking on contact surface, lowering risk of contact welding under high-current interruption and high-temperature conditions. Generally, higher tungsten content is more favorable for improving anti-welding capability.
(4) Good Thermal Conductivity & Temperature Rise Control: Copper phase helps conduct heat generated in contact area away, reducing heat accumulation. Appropriate tungsten-to-copper ratios help balance current-carrying capacity and arc resistance.
(5) Transpiration Cooling to Mitigate Localized Overheating: Under intense arcing, copper phase may melt, migrate to surface, and evaporate; these processes absorb portion of heat, helping to reduce local thermal loads.
(6) High Hardness & Good Wear Resistance: Tungsten phase helps improve material hardness and wear resistance, allowing contacts to withstand mechanical stresses during repeated contact and making/breaking cycles. Generally, increasing tungsten content favors higher hardness, though electrical conductivity and plasticity may decrease accordingly.
3. Applications of CTIA's Tungsten Copper Electrical Contact
(1) High- and Extra-High-Voltage Switching Equipment: Used as specialized arcing contacts in high-voltage circuit breakers, SF₆ circuit breakers, and Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS), to withstand the thermal loads generated by arcs during current interruption.
(2) Vacuum Switching Equipment: Used in vacuum circuit breakers, vacuum contactors, and vacuum load switches, meeting requirements for electrical conductivity, resistance to contact welding, and current interruption.
(3) Medium-Voltage Distribution Equipment: Used in specific contact positions of medium-voltage load switches, automatic reclosers, and circuit breakers, adapting to current making/breaking and frequent operating conditions.
(4) Transformer On-Load Tap Changers: Used as switching contacts or arcing contacts in on-load tap changers, withstanding current switching and arc exposure during voltage regulation under load.
4. Specifications of CTIA's Tungsten Copper Electrical Contact
(1) Common Materials: W30Cu70, W25Cu75, W20Cu80, W15Cu85, etc.
(2) Contact Applications: Break contacts, arcing contacts, etc.
(3) Structural Forms: Integral, composite, and embedded, etc.
(4) Dimensions and Tolerances: Customizable according to equipment structure and operating requirements.
CTIA GROUP has nearly 30 years of experience manufacturing tungsten copper alloys, with extensive expertise in powder metallurgy and precision machining. CTIA provides material selection, structural design, dimensional customization, and precision machining solutions based on switching equipment current load, interruption conditions, contact resistance requirements, and contact structure.
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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