Precious Metal 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM
Finish state
ASTM B268
PM = powder-metallurgy pressed, sintered and repressed
Pick for thick or large contacts where internal oxidation cannot reach the core, or for near-net-shape tips.
Values for the PM condition
Other 86.5Ag-13.5CdO tempers and conditions
86.5Ag-13.5CdO is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 86.5Ag-13.5CdO.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Pick for riveted or deep-formed contacts and for parts that must be bent or upset after blanking. | 110 | 230 | 20 | 57 HB | 80 % IACS |
PMThis page Powder-metallurgy pressed, sintered and repressed | Pick for thick or large contacts where internal oxidation cannot reach the core, or for near-net-shape tips. | 120 | 210 | 8 | 61 HB | 76 % IACS |
Internally oxidised | Pick for the finest, most uniform CdO dispersion and the best arc-erosion life in AC contactor duty. | 150 | 250 | 12 | 66 HB | 82 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Pick when blanked contacts need better flatness and burr control but still some bending capacity. | 175 | 265 | 10 | 71 HB | 79 % IACS |
Half hard | Middle-ground temper for stamped contact buttons and bridges needing moderate stiffness. | 220 | 295 | 6 | 80 HB | 78 % IACS |
Full hard | Pick for maximum hardness and wear resistance on flat stamped contacts where no post-forming is required. | 280 | 330 | 3 | 95 HB | 77 % IACS |
What is 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM?
86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM is 86.5Ag-13.5CdO supplied in the PM condition — pick for thick or large contacts where internal oxidation cannot reach the core, or for near-net-shape tips. 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM has a yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — weaker than 76% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi). 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM has a density of 10 g/cm³ (0.361 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of precious metal grades. It melts at 960°C (1,760 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; PM is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 76 % IACS, better than 78% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 92% of precious metal grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 92% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 40/100, worse than 91% of precious metal grades
- Low stiffness — 78 GPa (11.3 Msi), worse than 90% of precious metal grades
- Low strength — 120 MPa (17.4 ksi), worse than 76% of precious metal grades
86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM properties
Typical room-temperature values for 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 86.5Ag-13.5CdO reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM has a density of 10 g/cm³ (0.361 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of precious metal grades. It melts at 960°C (1,760 °F).
Mechanical11
86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM has a yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — weaker than 76% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi).
Thermal6
86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 300 W/m·K (173.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 74% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 18.5 µm/m·K (10.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM conducts electricity at 76 % IACS, better than 78% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM takes about 1,450 MJ of energy and emits 105 kg of CO₂ — less than 54% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 59% of precious metal grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM
Is 86.5Ag-13.5CdO easy to machine?
Turns and blanks easily but is gummy — use sharp, high-rake tools, light feeds and generous coolant; capture all swarf for silver recovery and control cadmium-bearing dust.
Can 86.5Ag-13.5CdO be welded?
Not fusion welded; contact tips are resistance- or brazed-welded to Cu/brass carriers through a pure-silver backing layer, since the CdO face will not wet.
Can 86.5Ag-13.5CdO be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as internally oxidised strip/wire or P/M billet; soft temper cold-heads, rivets and stamps well, while full-hard stock should be blanked flat only.
What surface finishes work on 86.5Ag-13.5CdO?
Normally used bare with a lightly brushed or coined face; avoid plating over the working surface, and store in sulphur-free packaging to limit tarnish.
86.5Ag-13.5CdO 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CdOcadmium oxide dispersoid, formed by internal oxidation of Ag-Cd or blended as powder | 12.5 – 14.5 | 13.5 |
| Cdmetallic Cd equivalent of the CdO content | ≈ 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Ocombined as CdO | ≈ 1.7 | 1.7 |
| impurities (total)Cu, Fe, Pb, Bi etc. per ASTM B692 | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Agbalance, 86.5 wt% nominal | balance | — |
86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM — frequently asked
What is 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM used for?
86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM is typically used for appliance switches, control relays and circuit breakers. In short: highest conductivity Ag-CdO; lowest oxide loading offered; 300 °C service limit.
What is the yield strength of 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM?
86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM has a typical yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — weaker than 76% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 59% of precious metal grades). Turns and blanks easily but is gummy — use sharp, high-rake tools, light feeds and generous coolant; capture all swarf for silver recovery and control cadmium-bearing dust.
Can 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Not fusion welded; contact tips are resistance- or brazed-welded to Cu/brass carriers through a pure-silver backing layer, since the CdO face will not wet.
What surface finishes work on 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM?
Normally used bare with a lightly brushed or coined face; avoid plating over the working surface, and store in sulphur-free packaging to limit tarnish.
Can 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as internally oxidised strip/wire or P/M billet; soft temper cold-heads, rivets and stamps well, while full-hard stock should be blanked flat only.
What is the maximum service temperature of 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM?
86.5Ag-13.5CdO-PM is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-O and 86.5Ag-13.5CdO-H04?
O is the default condition — pick for riveted or deep-formed contacts and for parts that must be bent or upset after blanking. H04: pick for maximum hardness and wear resistance on flat stamped contacts where no post-forming is required. Yield strength is 110 MPa in O versus 280 MPa in H04.
Sources
- ASTM B692 — Standard Specification for Silver-Cadmium Oxide Electrical Contact Material — ASTM International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (electrical contact materials) — ASM International (1990)
- Silver–metal oxide contact material datasheets (AgCdO 10/12/15 series) — electrical contact material producers (2022)
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.