Electrical contacts are essential components in a wide range of electrical devices, including switches, relays, connectors and circuit breakers. These contacts can be manufactured using various materials to meet the demands of different applications. For high-performance switches used across high, medium, and low voltage ranges, materials like sintered or infiltrated tungsten-copper, tungsten-silver, or tungsten carbide-silver are commonly utilized. These materials are specifically designed to withstand extreme conditions, such as switching currents up to 100 kA and arc temperatures exceeding 10,000 K, which can occur within milliseconds during operation.
Umicore supports these demanding applications by supplying a range of high-quality powders. These include fine and medium-size tungsten powders, ranging from 1.5 µm to 10 µm, characterized by an excellent grain size distribution and minimal impurities. In addition, Umicore offers tungsten carbide powders from 0.7 µm to 5 µm, with a highly controlled grain size distribution, ensuring optimal performance in high-performance electrical contact applications.
