Tungsten-copper (WCu) contacts, like tungsten-silver (WAg) contacts, are highly representative types of tungsten contacts. The reason their physicochemical properties, production methods, and applications are largely similar lies in the fact that both are manufactured using the refractory metal tungsten as a base. However, there is a cost difference between silver and copper, with silver generally being more expensive than copper.

Tungsten contacts are a type of electrical contact material, with their primary chemical composition including the refractory metal tungsten along with copper, silver, and other metal elements. They exhibit excellent thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties, making them widely used in the power sector. Depending on their chemical composition, tungsten contacts can be classified into tungsten-copper (WCu) contacts and Silver Tungsten (AgW) contacts.

Tungsten-based alloys can be categorized into different types—tungsten alloy rods, tungsten alloy blocks, tungsten alloy plates, and tungsten alloy spheres—based on their external shapes. These alloys share similar physical and chemical properties but differ in their specific applications.

High-Density Tungsten Alloy, also known as “high-specific-gravity tungsten alloy,” is an alloy primarily composed of tungsten (with a tungsten content of 85–99%) and small amounts of elements such as nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo), and chromium (Cr). Its density ranges from 16.5–18.75 g/cm³, more than twice that of steel (approximately 7.85 g/cm³). Depending on the alloy composition, it can be classified into series such as W-Ni-Fe (tungsten-nickel-iron), W-Ni-Cu (tungsten-nickel-copper), W-Cu (tungsten-copper), and W-Ag (tungsten-silver).

In today’s rapidly developing automotive industry, material innovation and application have been key drivers of progress. From traditional steel to the later emergence of aluminum alloys and carbon fiber, each introduction of a new material has brought a qualitative leap in automotive performance. Beyond aluminum alloys and carbon fiber, high-density tungsten alloy is also a critical material in the automotive sector. While it may still seem unfamiliar to the general public, in the eyes of engineers, tungsten alloy is becoming a "secret weapon" for solving specific technical challenges, thanks to its exceptional properties.

Tungsten contacts are electrical contact materials primarily composed of refractory metal tungsten and other metal elements such as copper or silver, exhibiting excellent thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties, and are widely used in the power sector. Based on their chemical composition, they can be classified into tungsten-copper (WCu) contacts and silver-tungsten (AgW) contacts. 

Like tungsten-silver (WAg) contacts, tungsten-copper (WCu) contacts are also a typical type of tungsten contact. Since both tungsten-silver and tungsten-copper contacts are products based on refractory metal tungsten, their physicochemical properties, production methods, and applications are fundamentally similar. It should be noted that the price of silver is generally higher than that of copper.

Depending on their shapes, tungsten-based alloys can be categorized into tungsten alloy rods, tungsten alloy blocks, tungsten alloy plates, and tungsten alloy spheres. While their physicochemical properties are generally similar, their applications differ.

Tungsten-nickel-iron alloy, with its unique physical and mechanical properties, demonstrates significant applications value in the field of welding electrodes. When used to manufacture welding electrodes, the high tungsten content (typically over 90%) is the core source of its advantages. Tungsten’s melting point, as high as 3422°C, far exceeds that of most metal materials, enabling the electrode to maintain a stable form in the high-temperature arc environment and preventing excessive wear due to melting. This is crucial for ensuring the continuity of the welding process. The addition of nickel and iron effectively mitigates the brittleness of pure tungsten, providing the electrode with a certain degree of plasticity and toughness, making it less prone to cracking during processing, installation, and use, while also enhancing its electrical conductivity to ensure stable arc generation and energy transfer.

The applications of tungsten-nickel-iron alloy as a shielding material in the medical field stems from its unique physical properties, such as high density, good chemical stability, and excellent radiation shielding capabilities. With a density typically ranging from 16.5 to 18.75 g/cm³, its ability to attenuate X-rays, γ-rays, and other radiation is comparable to traditional lead shielding materials. Moreover, it is less prone to fracturing or deforming due to impacts or vibrations, giving it a clear advantage in medical radiation protection scenarios.