Hogen Industries' Durakut tungsten composites are used worldwide for electrical discharge machining (EDM) and electrochemical machining (ECM) electrodes. All material is manufactured by the press, sinter, and infiltrate process. Virgin powders are used, resulting in a consistent, homogenous material giving high, even burning rates. Copper tungsten is used in plunger/sinker applications where intricate definition is required, especially in tungsten carbide.

Hogen's Durakut H5W (68% tungsten & 32% copper) is most commonly used for EDM electrodes. There are circumstances that require material with higher tungsten content. In these instances, Durakut H10W (75% tungsten & 25% copper) and Durakut H30W (80% tungsten & 20% copper) are used. The use of these materials results in sharper detail and superior surface finish. Typically as the tungsten percentage decreases, the result is a faster burning rate and some loss of definition and finish. Often it's a trade-off because the higher percentage tungsten materials are slightly more costly.

These tungsten composites are readily machinable. Carbide tooling is recommended.

There are some applications where silver is used as EDM electrodes. Hogen's H20S (74% tungsten & 26% silver) is the most commonly used.

For ECM electrodes, H 10 W is the standard because of its thermal and electrical characteristics and ability to withstand erosion.

Availability: Diameters stocked in 8"and 12" lengths. Other shapes and forms can be manufactured to specifications.