ALLOY FOR ELECTRICAL CONTACTS AND ELECTRODES AND METHOD OF MAKING

摘要

A W-Cu-Ni alloy having thermophysical properties suitable for use in electrical contacts and electrodes is described. The alloy is formed by direct sintering of a powder blend comprising a tungsten-copper composite powder and a nickel powder. The tungsten-copper composite powder component of the blend comprises individual dual phase particles having a copper phase and a tungsten phase wherein the tungsten phase substantially encapsulates the copper phase. The method for direct sintering the W-Cu-Ni alloy substantially eliminates the formation of brittle intermetallics and slumping during sintering.