Tungsten copper (W-Cu) composite powder has a wide range of applications in electronics, electromechanical, military, aerospace and other industries. This is due to its excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. The characteristics of these powders depend on their composition, the characteristics of the starting powders and their synthesis procedures.

 

Recently, W-Cu composite has been successfully prepared by sintering ammonium paratungstate (APT) and hydrated copper nitrate. The copper content is 30 wt%. The synthesis process of W-30 wt% Cu composite material is as follows:

 

 

Firstly, manually mixing ammonium paratungstate hydrate and copper nitrate hydrate in a stoichiometric ratio of 30 wt% Cu and 70 wt% W in a mortar with a pestle. The powder was then placed in an alumina boat and reduced in a resistance furnace at 800 °C. The heating rate is 10 °C/min, and the powder is kept isothermally at 800 °C for 30 minutes. The reducing gas used is hydrogen, and the flow rate is about 6 ml/sec. Maintain the air flow until the furnace cools to 500°C, and use an argon flow to room temperature to avoid oxidation. Then, cylindrical samples were prepared with a diameter of 5 mm and a thickness of 3 to 4 mm for sintering. These samples were compacted uniaxially in a steel mold with a diameter of 5 mm using a single-stage press at a pressure of 500 MPa.