As a special metal material with high hardness and a high melting point, cut-resistant tungsten wire is widely used in precision machining, semiconductor manufacturing, medical equipment, and other fields. Its maintenance requires consideration of both material properties and working conditions. Below is a systematic care guide addressing storage environment, usage procedures, regular inspection, cleaning processes, transportation protection, and recycling management:
I. Storage Environment Control for Cut-Resistant Tungsten Wire
Temperature and Humidity Requirements
Store at room temperature (15–30°C) with relative humidity ≤65% to prevent surface oxidation due to moisture.
Keep away from acidic or alkaline gases (e.g., chlorine, sulfides) to avoid chemical corrosion.
Packaging Protection
Wrap in moisture-proof paper and place in a wooden or cardboard box, with foam or air cushion film inside to secure it and prevent collisions.
Do not store with sharp metal objects to avoid scratches from friction.
II. Usage Procedures for Cut-Resistant Tungsten Wire
Avoiding Mechanical Damage
Handle gently during winding or installation; do not drag or bend beyond the elastic limit (tungsten wire has high tensile strength but is brittle).
Use ceramic or polymer padding on contact surfaces to prevent direct contact with steel, which could cause iron contamination (iron diffusion may lead to localized embrittlement).
Process Parameter Control
Avoid excessive localized temperatures during cutting (e.g., control pulse frequency in EDM) to prevent grain coarsening or coating failure.
Do not rewind after straightening, as residual stress may cause fracturing.
III. Regular Inspection and Maintenance of Cut-Resistant Tungsten Wire
Surface Quality Inspection
Use a microscope (200x magnification) to check for surface cracks, coating peeling, or inclusions; suspected damage can be further examined with X-ray or ultrasonic testing.
Stop use immediately if microcracks are found to avoid brittle fracture due to stress concentration.
Performance Revalidation
Every 6 months, sample test tensile strength, grain size, and hardness (Vickers hardness should be ≥300HV); if performance drops by 10%, evaluate replacement.
IV. Cleaning and Chemical Treatment of Cut-Resistant Tungsten Wire
Contamination Control
Before use, clean surface oil and dust with acetone or ultrasonic cleaning to prevent carbon infiltration (tungsten reacts with carbon at high temperatures to form brittle carbides).
Avoid exposure to sulfur or phosphorus atmospheres to prevent grain boundary corrosion.
Annealing Treatment
Anneal in hydrogen at ≤1400°C for ≤2 hours, avoiding graphite emulsion residue (carbonization risk).
Cool in a vacuum-sealed environment after annealing to prevent oxidation.
V. Transportation and Installation Protection for Cut-Resistant Tungsten Wire
Transportation Requirements
Use shockproof wooden boxes with soft padding for layered separation; avoid severe vibrations during transport.
For long-distance transport, include a temperature and humidity recorder; if thresholds are exceeded, return to the factory for inspection.
Installation Preparation
Unpack and operate in a cleanroom (ISO Class 5), wearing dust-free gloves to prevent sweat corrosion.
Before installation, use a helium mass spectrometer leak detector to confirm sealing integrity and prevent leaks in vacuum environments.
VI. Recycling Management of Cut-Resistant Tungsten Wire
Sort and recycle failed tungsten wire separately, avoiding mixing with common metal scrap.
Store fractured tungsten wire in vacuum-sealed containers to prevent oxidative contamination.
VII. Special Considerations for Specific Scenarios
Medical Equipment: After use in interventional guidewires, perform plasma cleaning to remove biological residues (preventing protein adsorption that could cause embrittlement).
Nuclear Industry: After neutron irradiation, test lattice distortion rate; replace if it exceeds 5%.
Semiconductor Processing: Purge equipment with nitrogen before cutting to ensure oxygen content is ≤10ppm, preventing oxidation.
By strictly adhering to the above guidelines, the service life of cut-resistant tungsten wire can be extended by more than 30%, while ensuring machining precision and safety. It is recommended to establish a maintenance log to record usage duration, environmental parameters, and inspection data for traceability and management.
