CuW Contact Plate

CuW contact plate is a flat or stepped CuW element used where a contact assembly needs more surface area than a round contact can provide. Common applications include earthing switch contacts, plate-style static contacts in larger MV switchgear, and braze-on inserts for copper carrier assemblies. Standard grades are CuW70, CuW75, and CuW80, machined from drawing.

The plate form trades the radial symmetry of rod-based contacts for surface flexibility. You get a contact face shaped to your assembly rather than constrained to a round disc.

Specifications

Property	Value
Material Grade	CuW70 / CuW75 / CuW80
Tungsten Content	70, 75, or 80 wt%
Form	Flat or stepped plate (machined to drawing)
Thickness Range	Per drawing
Plan-View Dimensions	Per drawing
Tolerance	Per drawing
Surface Treatment	As machined; polishing or plating optional
Electrical Conductivity	32–45% IACS depending on grade (per ASTM B702 typical)
Density	13.0–15.0 g/cm³ depending on grade
Working Voltage	Common MV ratings: 12 / 24 / 40.5 kV
Working Current	Application-specific; confirmed per design
Features	Holes, slots, chamfers per drawing

Exact certified properties for your lot are available with material documentation on request.

Applications

• Earthing switch contacts in MV switchgear (12 / 24 / 40.5 kV classes)
• Plate-form static contacts in larger MV / HV switchgear panels
• Braze-on CuW inserts for copper or bronze carrier assemblies
• Custom contact plates for sub-supply to VCB and isolator manufacturers

Technical Notes

CuW plate machining is similar to rod stock: carbide tooling, slower feed rates than pure copper, and post-machining surface conditioning where the arc face matters. Thicker plates have more thermal mass and tolerate higher single-event arc energy; thinner plates respond faster thermally but erode more per event.

For braze-on assemblies, plate thickness should account for the post-braze finish dimension, if your assembly is ground to a final thickness after brazing, order the plate slightly oversize. We can quote either net-shape or with braze allowance; specify in your order.

Holes, slots, and edge features should appear on the drawing. CuW is harder than copper but can carry features without unusual difficulty if the tooling is right.

Sourcing & OEM

Custom plates from drawing are routine. MOQ, lead time, and surface treatment options vary by specification; contact us with your drawing for a project-specific quote.