TUNGSTEN–COPPER COMPOSITES & ENGINEERED CONTACTS
WCu Tungsten–Copper — Technical Sourcing
Composition-controlled sourcing for tungsten–copper contacts, heat sinks, EDM electrodes, blanks and custom components.
MNK-G.S.A sources WCu by explicit tungsten/copper ratio, governing application specification, production route, physical properties, dimensions, drawing and required inspection documents.
WCu Is a Composite System, Not One Grade
Tungsten–copper materials are commonly produced by infiltrating a porous tungsten structure with copper. Changing the tungsten/copper ratio changes density, conductivity, thermal expansion, hardness and erosion behavior. A shorthand such as WCu80 must therefore be confirmed against an exact composition and manufacturer specification.
Material Definition and Supply Scope
WCu 70/30
Elmet reference composition: W 70 ± 3 % / Cu 30 ± 3 %. The source does not explicitly identify the percentage basis. These reference values are not universal acceptance limits; confirm the exact manufacturer grade, composition basis and requirements. Elmet PD-7102, p. 1.
WCu 75/25
Intermediate manufacturer-defined composition used where the required balance of conductivity, density, thermal expansion and hardness is documented.
WCu 80/20
Widely referenced composition family, but exact tolerance, density and properties must be confirmed from the selected producer’s specification.
WCu 85/15
Higher-tungsten composition with different hardness, density and conductivity from lower-tungsten WCu families.
WCu 90/10
High-tungsten manufacturer-published composition; availability, achievable geometry and property limits are checked for each inquiry.
Custom and Coated Parts
Near-net, machined, ground, plated or otherwise finished components supplied to drawing after review of material, geometry and inspection.
Product Forms and Dimensional Review
PD-7102 describes semi-finished material and finished parts to drawing, without a universal dimensional envelope. The EDM catalogue examples below are source-specific; other dimensions require review by the selected manufacturer.
| Product Form | Dimensional basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rod | Diameter and length to specification | See the source-specific EDM examples below; larger rods require manufacturer confirmation. |
| Plate / Block | Thickness, width and length to specification | Confirm the complete size, W/Cu ratio and manufacturing route; no universal plate or block range is stated here. |
| Near-Net Shapes | According to specification | Composition, density and physical-property requirements govern feasibility. |
| Custom Machined Parts | According to drawing | Flatness, finish, plating and inspection are confirmed before quotation. |
ASTM B702 applies only to copper-tungsten electrical contact material within its scope.
Actual availability depends on grade, specification, quantity, tolerances, certification requirements and manufacturing source. Diameter, thickness, width and length must be confirmed as one complete combination.
Source-Specific WCu EDM Catalogue Examples
Novotec and EDM-TEC publish distinct electrode programmes. The examples below are catalogue references, not MNK stock or a promise that every intermediate size and composition is available.
| Product programme | Published size examples | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Fine round EDM rods | Ø0.5–1.9 mm × 180 mm; Ø2–5 mm × 175 mm | Novotec catalogue; composition and surface condition must be confirmed for the selected item. |
| Round EDM bars | Examples: Ø6 mm × 200 mm; Ø16 mm and Ø20 mm × 100 mm or 200 mm | Novotec catalogue. These lengths apply to the stated examples, not every diameter. |
| WCu 75/25 round electrodes | Selected Ø2–80 mm × 300 mm; Ø4–40 mm × 350 mm | EDM-TEC WCu 75/25 catalogue. The 350 mm series has fewer selected diameters than the 300 mm series. |
| WCu 75/25 square electrodes | Selected sections from 3 mm × 3 mm to 80 mm × 80 mm; length 300 mm | EDM-TEC descriptive table. Discrete catalogue sections; confirm the selected item and current availability. |
| WCu 75/25 rectangular electrodes | Examples: 6 mm × 5 mm × 300 mm; 75 mm × 25 mm × 200 mm | EDM-TEC catalogue. Width × thickness × length must be confirmed together; do not combine independent range limits. |
These EDM examples do not establish the availability of large pressed or infiltrated WCu plate, block or near-net shapes. For those forms, MNK-G.S.A confirms the W/Cu ratio, production route, full dimensions, machining allowance, physical-property requirements and inspection documents with the selected source before quotation.
Standards and Documentation
ASTM B702-93(2024)
ASTM B702-93(2024) covers powder-metallurgy copper–tungsten electrical contacts. Its normative units are inch-pound units. Its scope does not automatically cover heat sinks, EDM electrodes or all custom WCu components.
Manufacturer Compositions
Specialist datasheets publish systems such as 70/30, 75/25, 80/20, 85/15 and 90/10. Composition tolerances and properties remain manufacturer-controlled unless otherwise specified.
Application Specifications
Electrical-contact, thermal-management and electrode applications may require different acceptance tests. The end-use specification must be stated explicitly.
EN 10204:2004
European inspection-document type can be requested where the selected manufacturer can provide the agreed traceability and test results.
EN / IEC / DIN Scope
No European or international document is assumed from the shorthand WCu. Any EN, IEC or DIN requirement is checked by exact reference and application scope.
Property Verification
Composition, density, hardness, electrical or thermal conductivity and dimensional inspection are defined according to the customer’s governing requirement.
Reference Physical and Mechanical Properties
Reference Basis
The following data refer to copper-infiltrated WCu in Elmet Technologies PD-7102. They are manufacturer-specific references, not universal acceptance limits. Thermal-expansion entries include their applicable temperature interval, source edition and review date. Sources and conditions.
Density
Examples from PD-7102: WCu 70/30, 14.3 ± 0.4 g/cm³; WCu 90/10, 17.3 ± 0.5 g/cm³. Density and test conditions for other compositions must be confirmed separately; do not interpolate.
Thermal Expansion
Mean thermal expansion over 20-100 °C: 8.8 ×10⁻⁶/K WCu 70/30 (Elmet PD-7102); Elmet Technologies. Mean linear thermal expansion over 20-100 °C for copper-infiltrated WCu of this composition. Do not substitute another composition or temperature interval; not a batch-certified acceptance value. Source: Elmet Technologies PD-7102 - Tungsten-Copper Composite Materials (Issue 1 / 2020-11-19, p. p1; WCu 70/30; CTE 20-100 C). Reviewed: 2026-09-23.
Mean thermal expansion over 20-100 °C: 8.5 ×10⁻⁶/K WCu 75/25 (Elmet PD-7102); Elmet Technologies. Mean linear thermal expansion over 20-100 °C for copper-infiltrated WCu of this composition. Do not substitute another composition or temperature interval; not a batch-certified acceptance value. Source: Elmet Technologies PD-7102 - Tungsten-Copper Composite Materials (Issue 1 / 2020-11-19, p. p1; WCu 75/25; CTE 20-100 C). Reviewed: 2026-09-23.
Mean thermal expansion over 20-100 °C: 8.3 ×10⁻⁶/K WCu 80/20 (Elmet PD-7102); Elmet Technologies. Mean linear thermal expansion over 20-100 °C for copper-infiltrated WCu of this composition. Do not substitute another composition or temperature interval; not a batch-certified acceptance value. Source: Elmet Technologies PD-7102 - Tungsten-Copper Composite Materials (Issue 1 / 2020-11-19, p. p1; WCu 80/20; CTE 20-100 C). Reviewed: 2026-09-23.
Mean thermal expansion over 20-100 °C: 7.2 ×10⁻⁶/K WCu 85/15 (Elmet PD-7102); Elmet Technologies. Mean linear thermal expansion over 20-100 °C for copper-infiltrated WCu of this composition. Do not substitute another composition or temperature interval; not a batch-certified acceptance value. Source: Elmet Technologies PD-7102 - Tungsten-Copper Composite Materials (Issue 1 / 2020-11-19, p. p1; WCu 85/15; CTE 20-100 C). Reviewed: 2026-09-23.
Mean thermal expansion over 20-100 °C: 6.1 ×10⁻⁶/K WCu 90/10 (Elmet PD-7102); Elmet Technologies. Mean linear thermal expansion over 20-100 °C for copper-infiltrated WCu of this composition. Do not substitute another composition or temperature interval; not a batch-certified acceptance value. Source: Elmet Technologies PD-7102 - Tungsten-Copper Composite Materials (Issue 1 / 2020-11-19, p. p1; WCu 90/10; CTE 20-100 C). Reviewed: 2026-09-23.
Thermal Conductivity
PD-7102 thermal-conductivity ranges: 70/30, 150–240 W/(m·K); 75/25, 145–230 W/(m·K); 80/20, 140–220 W/(m·K); 85/15, 135–210 W/(m·K); 90/10, 130–200 W/(m·K). The table does not specify measurement temperature or direction.
Electrical Conductivity and Mechanical Tests
PD-7102 electrical conductivity minima: 70/30, ≥30 % IACS; 75/25, ≥27 % IACS; 80/20, ≥25 % IACS; 85/15, ≥25 % IACS; 90/10, ≥25 % IACS. Specify hardness test method, strength and delivery condition for the selected material; a pooled range is not an acceptance criterion.
Certificate Control
Composition, density, CTE, thermal and electrical conductivity, hardness and strength must be verified for the exact grade, route and finished product offered.
Application Context
Electrical Contacts
High- and medium-voltage contact components where composition, electrical behavior and erosion resistance are controlled.
EDM and Welding Electrodes
Electrodes for erosive machining or selected resistance-welding applications, subject to the exact process and geometry.
Thermal Management
Heat sinks and package components requiring a tailored combination of density, conductivity and thermal expansion.
Capability Note
The cited catalogues describe their own product programmes, not MNK inventory. Confirm composition, dimensions, condition, tolerances, quantity and inspection requirements together before quotation. Citing a publisher does not imply a supply partnership.
Relevant ASTM Tungsten References
Use the relevant ASTM reference together with the customer specification, drawing, required product form and inspection route. The standard number alone does not establish grade equivalence, stock availability, conformity or fitness for service.
Sources, Review and Material Comparisons
The Novotec and EDM-TEC dimensional examples were rechecked on 15 October 2026 and are maintained in the shared technical registry. Each length remains paired with its source-specific diameter or section. Other source review dates are unchanged.
Reviewed on 15 September 2026. Property data: PD-7102, issue 1 dated 19 November 2020, page 1; delivery forms: page 2. Catalogue pages are undated and were checked on the review date. External documents remain in their original language.
Send Your WCu Tungsten–Copper Inquiry
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