Precious Metal 85Ag-15CdO
ASTM B268
85Ag-15CdO is the general-purpose silver–cadmium oxide contact composite of the ASTM B268 family, with 15% CdO dispersed in silver for arc resistance at moderate cost.
Reference datasheet — 85Ag-15CdO is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the O condition
85Ag-15CdO tempers and conditions
85Ag-15CdO is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. O is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Default condition for cold-heading rivets, deep-drawing contact caps and welding to carriers; lowest hardness, highest conductivity. | 120 | 230 | 20 | 58 HB | 75 % IACS |
P/M sintered / extruded | Use where a homogeneous oxide distribution through thick contact tips is needed (internal oxidation cannot reach the core of heavy sections). | 150 | 245 | 15 | 67 HB | 73 % IACS |
Internally oxidized | Standard economical route for thin strip and rivets; gives a fine oxide gradient with a nearly oxide-free braze side. | 170 | 260 | 12 | 74 HB | 76 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Choose when rivets or contact tips need more stiffness and wear resistance but must still be headed or bent. | 200 | 275 | 10 | 72 HB | 74 % IACS |
Half hard | Common stocked temper for stamped contact buttons and strip that is welded rather than cold-formed. | 250 | 315 | 6 | 84 HB | 73 % IACS |
Full hard | Pick for maximum hardness, mechanical wear resistance and spring-back in flat contact strip that will not be formed after supply. | 300 | 355 | 3 | 97 HB | 72 % IACS |
What is 85Ag-15CdO?
85Ag-15CdO is the general-purpose silver–cadmium oxide contact composite of the ASTM B268 family, with 15% CdO dispersed in silver for arc resistance at moderate cost. It is chosen for medium-duty switching and comes as internally oxidized (IO) or PM-extruded strip, wire, rivets and caps in O through H04 tempers, with 120 MPa yield, 230 MPa tensile, 58 HB, 75% IACS and 320 W/m·K. Service temperature is limited to 250 °C, the CdO phase is abrasive while the matrix is gummy, and cadmium hygiene and regulatory limits apply. Use 80Ag-20CdO for heavier arcing duty or Ag-Ni for a cadmium-free contact. 85Ag-15CdO has a density of 10.05 g/cm³ (0.363 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of precious metal grades. It melts at 940°C (1,724 °F). 85Ag-15CdO has a yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — weaker than 76% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 82 GPa (11.9 Msi).
What is 85Ag-15CdO used for?
- relays
- switches
- thermostats
- small contactors
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 320 W/m·K (184.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 80% of precious metal grades
- High electrical conductivity — 75 % IACS, better than 77% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 20%, worse than 77% of precious metal grades
- Low strength — 120 MPa (17.4 ksi), worse than 76% of precious metal grades
- Hard to polish — 70/100, worse than 76% of precious metal grades
85Ag-15CdO properties
Typical room-temperature values for 85Ag-15CdO-O; bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
85Ag-15CdO has a density of 10.05 g/cm³ (0.363 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of precious metal grades. It melts at 940°C (1,724 °F).
Mechanical11
85Ag-15CdO has a yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — weaker than 76% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 82 GPa (11.9 Msi).
Thermal6
85Ag-15CdO is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 320 W/m·K (184.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 80% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 19.4 µm/m·K (10.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
85Ag-15CdO conducts electricity at 75 % IACS, better than 77% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 67% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 85Ag-15CdO takes about 1,500 MJ of energy and emits 115 kg of CO₂ — more than 51% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
85Ag-15CdO's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 60% of precious metal grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability very good (80/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the precious metal family
Yield strength against density for every precious metal grade FabDigit runs. 85Ag-15CdO is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 85Ag-15CdO
Is 85Ag-15CdO easy to machine?
Turns and stamps well with sharp, high-rake carbide tooling and generous coolant; the Ag matrix is gummy while CdO is abrasive, and all swarf must be captured as cadmium-bearing waste.
Can 85Ag-15CdO be welded?
Not fusion welded — contacts are resistance-welded, brazed with Ag-Cu-P/Ag-Cu-Zn filler or supplied with an oxide-free silver backing layer for joining to Cu or brass carriers.
Can 85Ag-15CdO be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as internally oxidized or P/M-extruded strip/wire; anneal to soft temper for cold heading of rivets and drawing of caps, and re-anneal between heavy reductions.
85Ag-15CdO chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CdOdispersed cadmium oxide phase (≈13.1 wt % Cd as metal equivalent) | 14 – 16 | 15 |
| Other, totalresidual impurities; minor additives (e.g. Ni, Co, Sn) sometimes used as oxide-refining agents | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Agsilver matrix, 99.9 % purity feedstock | balance |
What surface finishes work on 85Ag-15CdO?
Used bare — the arc keeps the surface clean; ultrasonic degrease only, avoid sulphur-bearing packaging and lubricants, and follow cadmium hygiene rules for dust and fumes.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Precious Metal 85Ag-15CdO in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B268
- Also called
- AgCdO15
How much does 85Ag-15CdO cost?
85Ag-15CdO is a high-cost precious metal ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
85Ag-15CdO — frequently asked
What is 85Ag-15CdO used for?
85Ag-15CdO is typically used for relays, switches, thermostats and small contactors. In short: workhorse Ag-CdO grade; balanced arc resistance and cost; formable in soft temper.
What is the yield strength of 85Ag-15CdO?
85Ag-15CdO has a typical yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — weaker than 76% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 85Ag-15CdO easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 60% of precious metal grades). Turns and stamps well with sharp, high-rake carbide tooling and generous coolant; the Ag matrix is gummy while CdO is abrasive, and all swarf must be captured as cadmium-bearing waste.
Can 85Ag-15CdO be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Not fusion welded — contacts are resistance-welded, brazed with Ag-Cu-P/Ag-Cu-Zn filler or supplied with an oxide-free silver backing layer for joining to Cu or brass carriers.
What surface finishes work on 85Ag-15CdO?
Used bare — the arc keeps the surface clean; ultrasonic degrease only, avoid sulphur-bearing packaging and lubricants, and follow cadmium hygiene rules for dust and fumes.
Can 85Ag-15CdO be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as internally oxidized or P/M-extruded strip/wire; anneal to soft temper for cold heading of rivets and drawing of caps, and re-anneal between heavy reductions.
What is the maximum service temperature of 85Ag-15CdO?
85Ag-15CdO is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 85Ag-15CdO-O and 85Ag-15CdO-H04?
O is the default condition — default condition for cold-heading rivets, deep-drawing contact caps and welding to carriers; lowest hardness, highest conductivity. H04: pick for maximum hardness, mechanical wear resistance and spring-back in flat contact strip that will not be formed after supply. Yield strength is 120 MPa in O versus 300 MPa in H04.
How much does 85Ag-15CdO cost?
85Ag-15CdO is a high-cost precious metal ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM B268 / B693-family specifications for silver-base electrical contact materials — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (electrical contact materials) — ASM International (1990)
- Silver-metal oxide contact material data (AgCdO grades) — AMI Doduco / Umicore Contact Materials (2022)
- GB/T 5586 (Ag-CdO electrical contact materials) (2018)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.