Precious Metal 85Ag-15Ni-H04
Supply condition
ASTM B427
H04 = full hard
Maximum as-rolled hardness for wear-resistant sliding contacts and flat-blade parts that are only lightly formed.
Values for the H04 condition
Other 85Ag-15Ni tempers and conditions
85Ag-15Ni is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 85Ag-15Ni.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Standard stock condition for contact rivets, buttons and strip that must be headed, coined or clad-bonded. | 95 | 230 | 25 | 57 HB | 78 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Choose when a slightly stiffer strip is needed but rivet heading or deep coining is still required. | 190 | 270 | 13 | 71 HB | 77 % IACS |
Half hard | Compromise temper for stamped contact blades that need moderate stiffness plus some bend capability. | 250 | 305 | 7 | 83 HB | 77 % IACS |
H04This page Full hard | Maximum as-rolled hardness for wear-resistant sliding contacts and flat-blade parts that are only lightly formed. | 315 | 350 | 3 | 95 HB | 76 % IACS |
Spring hard | Highest strength condition for self-sprung contact fingers and wire forms where elastic deflection carries the contact force. | 380 | 420 | 2 | 115 HB | 75 % IACS |
What is 85Ag-15Ni-H04?
85Ag-15Ni-H04 is 85Ag-15Ni supplied in the H04 condition — maximum as-rolled hardness for wear-resistant sliding contacts and flat-blade parts that are only lightly formed. 85Ag-15Ni-H04 has a yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 93% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi). 85Ag-15Ni-H04 has a density of 10.1 g/cm³ (0.365 lb/in³), lighter than 61% of precious metal grades. It melts at 961°C (1,762 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H04 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 315 MPa (45.7 ksi), better than 93% of precious metal grades
- High electrical conductivity — 76 % IACS, better than 78% of precious metal grades
- Conducts heat well — 318 W/m·K (183.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 76% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 100% of precious metal grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 95% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 40/100, worse than 91% of precious metal grades
85Ag-15Ni-H04 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 85Ag-15Ni-H04; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 85Ag-15Ni reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
85Ag-15Ni-H04 has a density of 10.1 g/cm³ (0.365 lb/in³), lighter than 61% of precious metal grades. It melts at 961°C (1,762 °F).
Mechanical11
85Ag-15Ni-H04 has a yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 93% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 100 GPa (14.5 Msi).
Thermal6
85Ag-15Ni-H04 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 318 W/m·K (183.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 76% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 18.5 µm/m·K (10.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
85Ag-15Ni-H04 conducts electricity at 76 % IACS, better than 78% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 53% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 85Ag-15Ni-H04 takes about 1,300 MJ of energy and emits 110 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability8
85Ag-15Ni-H04's machinability is fair (50/100, better than 74% of precious metal grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 85Ag-15Ni-H04
Is 85Ag-15Ni easy to machine?
Machinable but gummy — use sharp, high-rake carbide or HSS tooling, high speed, light feed and generous coolant; collect all chips for silver reclaim.
Can 85Ag-15Ni be welded?
Not fusion-welded as a bulk alloy; contacts are resistance-, laser- or ultrasonically welded, or silver-brazed/clad to Cu, CuZn or steel carriers.
Can 85Ag-15Ni be formed, bent or molded?
Produced by powder metallurgy (press–sinter–extrude) then rolled/drawn; anneal at ~600–700 °C in reducing or inert atmosphere between heavy cold-work steps for rivet heading and profile rolling.
What surface finishes work on 85Ag-15Ni?
Used bare or lightly polished; hard-silver, Ni-barrier or thin Au flash is applied for dry-circuit/signal contacts and anti-tarnish protection; no anodising.
85Ag-15Ni 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nifinely dispersed metallic Ni phase (PM or internally dispersed) | 14 – 16 | 15 |
| Other (total impurities)Cu, Fe, Pb, Bi etc. per contact-material spec | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Agmatrix; Ag + Ni ≥ 99.85 % | balance | — |
85Ag-15Ni-H04 — frequently asked
What is 85Ag-15Ni-H04 used for?
85Ag-15Ni-H04 is typically used for motor control switches, appliance relays and automotive relays. In short: balanced Ag-Ni workhorse; cadmium-free relay contact; higher service temperature than 90Ag-10Ni.
What is the yield strength of 85Ag-15Ni-H04?
85Ag-15Ni-H04 has a typical yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 93% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 85Ag-15Ni-H04 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, better than 74% of precious metal grades). Machinable but gummy — use sharp, high-rake carbide or HSS tooling, high speed, light feed and generous coolant; collect all chips for silver reclaim.
Can 85Ag-15Ni-H04 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Not fusion-welded as a bulk alloy; contacts are resistance-, laser- or ultrasonically welded, or silver-brazed/clad to Cu, CuZn or steel carriers.
What surface finishes work on 85Ag-15Ni-H04?
Used bare or lightly polished; hard-silver, Ni-barrier or thin Au flash is applied for dry-circuit/signal contacts and anti-tarnish protection; no anodising.
Can 85Ag-15Ni-H04 be formed, bent or molded?
Produced by powder metallurgy (press–sinter–extrude) then rolled/drawn; anneal at ~600–700 °C in reducing or inert atmosphere between heavy cold-work steps for rivet heading and profile rolling.
What is the maximum service temperature of 85Ag-15Ni-H04?
85Ag-15Ni-H04 is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 85Ag-15Ni-O and 85Ag-15Ni-H08?
O is the default condition — standard stock condition for contact rivets, buttons and strip that must be headed, coined or clad-bonded. H08: highest strength condition for self-sprung contact fingers and wire forms where elastic deflection carries the contact force. Yield strength is 95 MPa in O versus 380 MPa in H08.
Sources
- ASTM B693 — Silver-Nickel Electrical Contact Material — ASTM International (2017)
- Electrical contact materials — AgNi series data — Doduco / Metalor Technologies (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Electrical Contact Materials) — ASM International (1990)
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.