MATERIAL COMPARISON
Similar letters do not identify the same material.
For an electrical component, a heat-transfer part or a wear component, keep the exact material designation on the drawing. WCu and WC-Co must remain separate purchasing descriptions.
Differences to verify
| Criterion | WCu | WC-Co |
|---|---|---|
| Material basis | Tungsten and copper | Tungsten carbide and cobalt binder |
| Copper / cobalt role | Copper is a constituent | Cobalt is the binder in WC-Co |
| Grade needed | Specify the WCu composition | Specify the WC-Co grade and binder content |
The family label does not establish an exact composition, delivered condition or property value. Confirm the product-specific basis before comparing offers.
What should drive the choice?
Electrical or thermal part
Where the drawing specifies WCu, ask for the exact composition and product construction. Do not accept a WC-Co offer as a match because the supplier also calls it a tungsten material.
Wear component
Where the drawing specifies WC-Co, keep the hardmetal grade reference. Do not convert the request to metallic tungsten or tungsten-copper without technical approval.
Purchasing check
Compare the same form, dimensions and quantity. Ask the supplier to spell out the offered material instead of resolving an ambiguous abbreviation by assumption.
Limits of substitution
This page does not approve interchangeability, prescribe machining or welding settings, or infer suitability from a generic conductivity or hardness claim. An alternative requires a separate design decision.
Technical Sources & Revision
Plansee, W-MMC brochure, September 2021, pages 4 and 12: tungsten-copper material identity. CERATIZIT, Cemented Carbide, section “What is cemented carbide?”: hard phase and binder; no revision date stated. English sources.
Materials and next steps
Technical review: 14 September 2026. Original purchasing guidance by MNK-G.S.A. Public references do not imply a supplier partnership.