Copper tungsten, also known as CuW, W-Cu and tungsten copper, is a popular composite metal used in many industries due to its unique thermal conductivity properties among other reasons. The type of CuW INTA works with consists mainly of tungsten (75%-90% in most cases) with the balance copper. The material has a CTE which matches several other key materials which means it can be used to make packages for high temperature and temperature cycling applications.
CuW is mainly used because it’s CTE is a good match with other materials used to package lasers and other devices that may see high temperatures but need very fine accuracy (weapons systems, printing presses, laser mounts, many other applications). These features make CuW attractive for many other reasons:
-Heat resistant
-Ablate resistant
-Self cooling
-Excellent thermal and electrical conductivity
-Low wear
-High contour sharpness
-Good machinability
Pricing depends on size. The material is more costly than copper and has been increasing but is still affordable. Contact our sales office and request a quote contact@intatech.com
Here is a list outlining a few differences:
90/10 is approx. 14% more dense
90/10 thermal conduction is approx. 19% lower
90/10 CTE is 26% lower
90/10 is more expensive
90/10 has longer lead times
For further information contact our sales office: 408-748-9955 x113
Yes. CuW must not be porous if it is to be plated. The material must be very dense in order to plate properly with various metals.
Yes, INTA Technologies Corp. regularly plates copper tungsten with nickel, silver, gold, copper, platinum, etc. Many plating companies do not have the technology to plate copper tungsten and a special process must be followed. Many companies from all across North America have come to INTA Technologies over the years because of our reputation for quality plating and plating on CuW. It is not uncommon for companies to unknowingly send their parts to another plater and experience difficulty and then turn to INTA for stripping, rework and replating after discovering that INTA is one of the few companies that excel at plating CuW.
Wolfram is the classic name of tungsten, hence the W designation for tungsten on the periodic table.
INTA Technologies can seal very small parts in the range of tens of mils (less than one millimeter). Each project is unique, contact us for a free design review and quote.
Largest items are 8” in length and 4” in diameter although these large pieces are infrequent.
Lead times vary from project to project. Allow at least 2-3 weeks minimum. A typical lead time is 6 weeks which allows for tooling, plating and part marking. 90/10 material has the longest lead times, other grades can be manufactured slightly faster.
INTA inspects and tests CuW material and components throughout the process. INTA retains all the equipment needed to check many features of the CuW including CMM, XRF, micrometers, microscopes, ovens and furnaces (for bake tests), surface prep equipment and much, much more. For further details please contact Quality Manager, George Baltazar 408-748-9955 x123 or gbaltazar@intatech.com
Sizes are limited. It is best to machine from blanks which INTA provides. Large sheets of this material are unavailable. Bars are available but diameters are typically small. 2” square sheet is no problem.
Yes, INTA provides these items. Let us know what size and any other specifications and we will provide a quote.
Copper tungsten is a specialty material which machines in a similar way to tungsten (prone to chipping, brittle). Carbide tools will be needed along with much patience. The material will eat up tools and machines so if it is possible to buy the parts already made and plated you might want to consider that.
Not enough information. The spotting could be caused by poor material, porosity, soiling, poor cleaning process, poor packaging, etc. Usually, spotting is caused by porosity unless the part has been in storage for a long time or stored improperly. Plating might help but it may be impossible if the material is of poor quality. The type of plating to try would be nickel and then store the item in a vacuum sealed bag.
Plating nickel and gold along with proper packaging and environmental control will preserve your CuW products for many years to come. A nickel coating without gold will be another, less rigorous, option.
Many shops recognize the difficulty of plating CuW and do not wish to devote the time and resources to developing processes. INTA has worked for many years to develop the processes we use and refine them. We are known as the leading North American copper tungsten plater.
Yes, INTA provides material that is IFAR and DFAR compliant.
INTA Technologies is ISO 9001:2008 certified and each batch of CuW goes through our processes, all of which are certified by NSAI.
Yes, these certifications are available for no extra charge upon request.
Yes, fine features and threaded holes are not problems.
It can be important. For instance, a very fine surface finish (4, for instance) could drive costs up. Also, a very rough surface could cause problems (over 124). To ensure good plating the surface should be clean and free of defects such as pits and cracks.
Yes, although the selection is somewhat limited. INTA mainly stocks small copper tungsten blanks but not large sheets or bars.
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Last revised: 10 NOV 2009
