The application of tungsten-molybdenum alloy wires in the fields of high temperature and electronics
Tungsten-molybdenum alloy wires combine the high melting point, high strength of tungsten wires and the toughness, machinability of molybdenum. They are widely used in high-temperature and electronic fields. In terms of heating elements in high-temperature furnaces, tungsten-molybdenum alloys (such as W-50Mo) have a melting point between tungsten and molybdenum. Their high-temperature creep resistance is better than pure molybdenum, and their resistivity can be adjusted. They are widely used in semiconductor manufacturing, photovoltaic single-crystal silicon growth furnaces (above 1600°C) and vacuum heat treatment furnaces. For example, in the single-crystal silicon pulling furnace, the lifespan of the W-30Mo alloy heater is 30% longer than that of pure molybdenum. In the field of electronics and electro-vacuum devices, tungsten-molybdenum alloy wires (such as W-20Mo) are used as cathodes and gate materials for high-power vacuum tubes and X-ray tubes. Their electron emission work is stable and resistant to ion bombardment; at the same time, their high thermal conductivity makes them an ideal material for the lead frame of semiconductor chips, which can reduce packaging stress.
In the aerospace and military industries, tungsten-molybdenum alloy wires are used to manufacture the throat liners of rocket engine nozzles and the leading-edge thermal protection layers of hypersonic aircraft. For instance, the W-10Mo alloy throat liner has superior ablation resistance compared to pure tungsten and is lighter in weight. The W-15Mo alloy wire-woven thermal protection layer can withstand 2000°C aerodynamic heating and can further extend its lifespan through an antioxidant coating (such as SiC). In the nuclear industry, the W-5Mo alloy has superior neutron irradiation swelling resistance compared to pure tungsten and is suitable for use as the first wall material of fusion reactors and the support structure of nuclear fuel rods. It exhibits excellent corrosion resistance in high-temperature liquid metal coolant. In the additive manufacturing field, tungsten-molybdenum alloy wires (such as W-40Mo) can be used in wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) to manufacture nuclear reactor shielding components, with a density exceeding 98%. At the same time, tungsten-molybdenum mixed powder can be used in electron beam melting (EBM) printing to manufacture turbine blades with a 20% increase in high-temperature strength.
Tungsten-molybdenum alloy wires also have important applications in the medical and glass manufacturing fields. In medical equipment, the W-25Mo alloy can be used for 3D printing of high-precision (±0.05mm) radiotherapy multi-leaf collimators, which is easier to process than pure tungsten; the fine wire (diameter 0.1mm) can also be used as the surgical electrode in electrosurgical devices, with better biocompatibility than nickel-based alloys. In the glass manufacturing and processing fields, the W-50Mo alloy serves as a glass melting electrode, which can be corrosion-resistant in the 1500°C glass melt for a long time and has a lifespan twice that of pure molybdenum electrodes; in addition, the high-temperature-resistant braided yarns made of tungsten-molybdenum alloy wires can be used in glass fiber drawing molds to reduce the wear of platinum molds.
Mosten Alloy can produce molybdenum sheet, molybdenum block, molybdenum foil, molybdenum rod, molybdenum wire, molybdenum processing workpiece according to customer demand.