Precious Metal 85Ag-15CdO-O (Annealed)
Temper · default condition
ASTM B268
Default condition for cold-heading rivets, deep-drawing contact caps and welding to carriers; lowest hardness, highest conductivity.
Values for the O condition
Other 85Ag-15CdO tempers and conditions
85Ag-15CdO is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 85Ag-15CdO.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefaultThis page 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-O?
85Ag-15CdO-O is 85Ag-15CdO in the O temper — default condition for cold-heading rivets, deep-drawing contact caps and welding to carriers; lowest hardness, highest conductivity. 85Ag-15CdO-O 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). 85Ag-15CdO-O 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).
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-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for 85Ag-15CdO-O; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 85Ag-15CdO reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
85Ag-15CdO-O 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-O 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-O 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-O 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-O 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-O'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 85Ag-15CdO-O
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.
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.
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 | — |
85Ag-15CdO-O — frequently asked
What is 85Ag-15CdO-O used for?
85Ag-15CdO-O 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-O?
85Ag-15CdO-O 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-O 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-O 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-O?
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-O 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-O?
85Ag-15CdO-O 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.