COPPER-TUNGSTEN (Elkonite®)
Copper-tungsten composite for high thermal demand applications. The industry standard for nut projection welding, die facings and faced electrodes where copper alloys don't hold up.
Applicable standards: AWS J1.3 • RWMA Class 10, 11, 12
Available Grades by RWMA Class
Higher tungsten content means higher hardness and wear resistance, but lower conductivity. Select based on your application severity.
Elkonite® 5W3
Standard ProjectionElkonite® 10W3
Most UsedWhen to use Elkonite vs Copper Alloys?
Use Copper-Tungsten when copper alloys (Class 2 or 3) wear quickly or deform from temperature. Typical cases: nut projection on steel, high volume production (>1000 pieces/day), or when the electrode can't cool adequately between cycles.
Note on Trademarks and RWMA Classification
Elkonite® is a registered trademark of CMW Inc. (formerly Contact Metal Welding). Similar to how "Kleenex" became synonymous with facial tissues, "Elkonite" has become the generic name for Copper-Tungsten composites in the resistance welding industry. Values shown are typical manufacturer values, not AWS J1.3 minimums. AWS specifies composition ranges: Class 10 (43-47% Cu), Class 11 (23-27% Cu), Class 12 (18-22% Cu).
Comparison Table - Elkonite® Family
| RWMA Class | Grade | Composition | % IACS | Hardness | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 1W3 | 45% Cu / 55% W | 53 | 79 HRB | 12.6 g/cm³ |
| — | 3W3 | 32% Cu / 68% W | 50 | 88 HRB | 13.93 g/cm³ |
| Class 10 | 5W3 | 30% Cu / 70% W | 48 | 90 HRB | 14.18 g/cm³ |
| Class 11 | 10W3 | 25% Cu / 75% W | 46 | 98 HRB | 14.70 g/cm³ |
| Class 11/12 | 20W3 | 22% Cu / 78% W | 44 | 99 HRB | 14.80 g/cm³ |
| Class 12 | 30W3 | 20% Cu / 80% W | 42 | 103 HRB | 15.4 g/cm³ |