Copper Tungsten EDM Electrodes and Drills

What is Copper Tungsten (Tungsten Copper, CuW or WCu)?

Copper tungsten, often referred to as tungsten copper, CuW, or WCu, is a pseudo-alloy combining copper and tungsten through a unique manufacturing process. Instead of forming molecular bonds, molten copper is infiltrated into a sintered tungsten powder matrix. This method yields a material that integrates the distinct characteristics of both tungsten and copper. The hybrid material is particularly valuable in applications like electrical discharge machining (EDM), where it serves as a bridge between tungsten carbide and metals like brass and copper. Copper tungsten offers a balance, mitigating the extreme properties of its constituent elements to provide a versatile and effective material for various industrial uses.

Advantages of Copper Tungsten

Copper tungsten inherits a great deal of strength from tungsten, yet retains some of copper’s softness. Like
tungsten carbide electrodes, it can be manufactured in the same very small sizes. Its strength also gives it
stability, which decreases walking, and can reduce the need for meeting a blind hole, making it ideal for deep hole
drilling. Unlike both copper and tungsten carbide electrodes, copper tungsten is ideal for machining. It is yielding
enough to accept machining, while strong enough to maintain its structure afterwards.


Copper tungsten can effectively drill through many of the materials that are impractical targets for brass and
copper. This is due to the mixture of tungsten. Though it cannot cost effectively drill through the toughest
materials, in much of the application overlap of tungsten carbide and copper tungsten, copper tungsten is more
economical. Copper tungsten also has a shorter lead time than tungsten carbide, since its manufacturing process is
simpler.

Disadvantages of Copper Tungsten

The relative softness of copper tungsten when compared to tungsten carbide and its greater expense than pure copper
or brass contribute to copper tungsten’s shortcomings. The softness of copper tungsten prevent it from having the
extremely tight tolerances of tungsten carbide. Greater softness and a higher electrical conductivity than tungsten
carbide also give copper tungsten a correspondingly higher disintegration rate. Because of this, drilling into
extremely hard materials with copper tungsten is not cost effective, even when considering the relatively high cost
of tungsten carbide. Conversely, drilling into very soft materials often does not make sense because brass or copper
will do the same job for less money.

Copper Tungsten’s Niche

Due to its unique mixture of characteristics, copper tungsten comes up short in applications where the use of
tungsten carbide, brass, or copper are obvious. However, when the solution to an EDM problem is ambiguous, copper
tungsten shines. If a material is a bit too tough for copper, and tungsten carbide seems like overkill, copper
tungsten is probably the right choice. If holes need to be drilled that are less than .1mm in diameter (micro hole
drilling) in a soft material, copper tungsten is also ideal. Copper tungsten excels in the middle ground lying
between copper and brass, and tungsten carbide.

Copper Tungsten Foil

Copper tungsten foil is an exceptional material known for its unique combination of tungsten’s strength and high melting point with copper’s excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. This makes it extremely effective in environments that demand resistance to high temperatures and corrosion while requiring superior electrical and thermal performance. Commonly used in applications such as electrical contacts, electrodes in EDM processes, and heat sinks, copper tungsten foil is crucial in industries like aerospace, automotive, and electronics, where reliability under extreme conditions is essential. Its durability and conductivity also make it an ideal choice for advanced manufacturing techniques that require materials with both thermal management and electrical properties.

Copper Tungsten Single Hole EDM Tubes

Copper Tungsten Single Hole EDM Tubes are precision-engineered tools designed for optimal performance in EDM drilling applications. Combining copper’s excellent electrical conductivity with tungsten’s high melting point and mechanical strength, these tubes provide superior heat resistance and stability, making them ideal for machining tough materials. They are widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and mold making, where precision and durability are critical. These tubes ensure consistent, accurate, and efficient machining, reducing wear and tear on equipment while delivering high-quality results.

Copper Tungsten EDM Rods

Copper Tungsten EDM Rods are essential for high-precision electrical discharge machining, offering a unique combination of tungsten’s hardness and high temperature resistance with copper’s superior electrical and thermal conductivity. These rods are perfect for machining hard, refractory metals under extreme conditions without sacrificing performance. Frequently used in the aerospace, automotive, and die-making industries, Copper Tungsten EDM Rods enable precise, efficient machining operations, ensuring durability and reliability in critical applications.

Copper Tungsten Blocks

Copper Tungsten Blocks are highly valued in industrial applications that require materials to withstand extreme conditions. These blocks combine copper’s excellent thermal and electrical conductivities with tungsten’s exceptional strength and heat resistance, making them ideal for uses in electrical contacts, heat sinks, and heavy-duty machining components. Particularly in sectors like aerospace, defense, and manufacturing, Copper Tungsten Blocks are critical for ensuring reliability and efficiency in environments where high heat and electrical performance are necessary.

Copper Tungsten Plates

Copper Tungsten Plates are engineered to offer outstanding performance in applications that demand high thermal and electrical conductivity alongside excellent heat resistance. These plates are made from a robust blend of copper and tungsten, ensuring they can withstand extreme temperatures and harsh environments. Ideal for use in electrical, aerospace, and industrial applications, Copper Tungsten Plates serve as crucial components in heat exchangers, electrical contacts, and shielding for high-temperature furnaces, delivering reliability and durability where it’s most needed.

Customization

Custom copper tungsten electrodes are available in sizes from .06mm (only rods are available from .06mm to .1mm) to
3.0mm in diameter, in lengths from 100mm to 700mm. Inner and outer diameters may be adjusted. The ratio of tungsten
to copper can be adjusted to optimize electrode characteristics. The percentage of tungsten is from 50% to 90%, with
10% gradations. Diameter gradations for copper tungsten are not as fine as those for brass or copper, due to
different manufacturing methods.