Tungsten Alloy W80Cu20
also CuW80
W80Cu20 (CuW80, GB/T 8320) is a higher-tungsten infiltrated W-Cu composite that trades conductivity for hardness and arc-erosion resistance relative to W70Cu30.
Reference datasheet — W80Cu20 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the SI condition
W80Cu20 tempers and conditions
W80Cu20 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. SI is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solid-state pressed and sintered | Lower-cost route for large blanks and non-critical parts; slightly lower density and conductivity due to residual porosity. | 420 | 540 | 2 | 14 HRC | 30 % IACS |
RWMA Class 12 | Specify when buying to RWMA/ANSI classification for projection-welding inserts, flash-welding dies and facing electrodes. | 450 | 600 | 2 | 18 HRC | 29 % IACS |
SIDefault Pressed, sintered and copper-infiltrated | Default commercial condition for EDM electrodes, contacts and heat spreaders; best balance of density, hardness and conductivity. | 470 | 630 | 3 | 18 HRC | 34 % IACS |
Fine-grain EDM electrode grade | Fine, uniform tungsten grain size for low electrode wear and mirror-quality EDM finishes in carbide and hardened steel. | 490 | 650 | 3 | 19 HRC | 34 % IACS |
Hot isostatic pressed | Choose for vacuum interrupter contacts and high-reliability electrodes where residual porosity and gas content must be minimised. | 520 | 720 | 4 | 220 HB | 36 % IACS |
What is W80Cu20?
W80Cu20 (CuW80, GB/T 8320) is a higher-tungsten infiltrated W-Cu composite that trades conductivity for hardness and arc-erosion resistance relative to W70Cu30. At 15.25 g/cm3 density, 205 HB (98 HRB), 630 MPa tensile strength, 3% elongation, 190 W/m·K and 34% IACS, it is specified for fine-detail EDM electrodes and heavy-duty contacts; forms are pressed and infiltrated plate, rod, bar and preforms. Machinability rates 30, it is not fusion weldable and has no formability, so all geometry comes from machining or EDM. Choose W70Cu30 where higher electrical and thermal conductivity is needed. W80Cu20 has a density of 15.25 g/cm³ (0.551 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,083°C (1,981 °F). W80Cu20 has a yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — weaker than 94% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 260 GPa (37.7 Msi).
What is W80Cu20 used for?
- EDM electrodes for hardened dies
- Vacuum interrupter contacts
- Rocket nozzle throat inserts
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 14 kg CO₂/kg, better than 100% of tungsten alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 190 W/m·K (109.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of tungsten alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 34 % IACS, better than 95% of tungsten alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 30/100, better than 86% of tungsten alloy grades
- Lightweight — 15.25 g/cm³ (0.551 lb/in³), better than 81% of tungsten alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 260 GPa (37.7 Msi), worse than 95% of tungsten alloy grades
- Low strength — 470 MPa (68.2 ksi), worse than 94% of tungsten alloy grades
W80Cu20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for W80Cu20-SI; bars are the position among tungsten alloy grades.
Physical3
W80Cu20 has a density of 15.25 g/cm³ (0.551 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 1,083°C (1,981 °F).
Mechanical17
W80Cu20 has a yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — weaker than 94% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 260 GPa (37.7 Msi).
Thermal5
W80Cu20 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 190 W/m·K (109.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of tungsten alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 8.3 µm/m·K (4.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
W80Cu20 conducts electricity at 34 % IACS, better than 95% of tungsten alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 62% of tungsten alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of W80Cu20 takes about 190 MJ of energy and emits 14 kg of CO₂ — less than 100% of tungsten alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
W80Cu20's machinability is poor (30/100, better than 86% of tungsten alloy grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the tungsten alloy family
Yield strength against density for every tungsten alloy grade FabDigit runs. W80Cu20 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with W80Cu20
Is W80Cu20 easy to machine?
Turn/mill with sharp carbide or PCD tooling at low feed, flood coolant; grinding, wire EDM and sinker EDM are the preferred finishing routes for tight tolerance.
Can W80Cu20 be welded?
Not fusion weldable — join by silver-copper brazing or resistance backing to a copper holder; avoid overheating that sweats copper out of the skeleton.
Can W80Cu20 be formed, bent or molded?
No cold or hot forming; parts are made near-net by pressing/sintering/infiltration and finished by machining or EDM.
W80Cu20 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Wsintered tungsten skeleton | 78 – 82 | 80 |
| Impurities (total)Fe, Ni, C, O per GB/T 8320 | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Cuinfiltrant, balance | ≥ 18 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on W80Cu20?
Degrease and pickle lightly, then nickel or silver plate for solderability and tarnish resistance; surfaces polish well but porosity in sintered-only grades can retain fluids.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Tungsten Alloy W80Cu20 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- CuW80
- Similar grades
- GB/T 8320
How much does W80Cu20 cost?
W80Cu20 is a high-cost tungsten alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
W80Cu20 — frequently asked
What is W80Cu20 used for?
W80Cu20 is typically used for EDM electrodes for hardened dies, vacuum interrupter contacts and rocket nozzle throat inserts. In short: harder than CuW70; high arc-erosion resistance; fine-detail EDM electrode.
What is the yield strength of W80Cu20?
W80Cu20 has a typical yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — weaker than 94% of tungsten alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is W80Cu20 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, better than 86% of tungsten alloy grades). Turn/mill with sharp carbide or PCD tooling at low feed, flood coolant; grinding, wire EDM and sinker EDM are the preferred finishing routes for tight tolerance.
Can W80Cu20 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Not fusion weldable — join by silver-copper brazing or resistance backing to a copper holder; avoid overheating that sweats copper out of the skeleton.
What surface finishes work on W80Cu20?
Degrease and pickle lightly, then nickel or silver plate for solderability and tarnish resistance; surfaces polish well but porosity in sintered-only grades can retain fluids.
Can W80Cu20 be formed, bent or molded?
No cold or hot forming; parts are made near-net by pressing/sintering/infiltration and finished by machining or EDM.
What is the maximum service temperature of W80Cu20?
W80Cu20 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between W80Cu20-SI and W80Cu20-HIP?
SI is the default condition — default commercial condition for EDM electrodes, contacts and heat spreaders; best balance of density, hardness and conductivity. HIP: choose for vacuum interrupter contacts and high-reliability electrodes where residual porosity and gas content must be minimised. Yield strength is 470 MPa in SI versus 520 MPa in HIP.
How much does W80Cu20 cost?
W80Cu20 is a high-cost tungsten alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- GB/T 8320 (2003)
- ASTM B702 / RWMA Class 10-13 Copper-Tungsten Electrode Materials — ASTM / RWMA (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- Copper-tungsten (W-Cu) composite datasheets — Plansee / / (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.