Precious Metal 90Ag-10CdO-H04
Supply condition
ASTM B268
H04 = full hard
Pick full-hard strip or wire (≈37 % cold reduction) for wear-resistant sliding contacts and fine-blanked parts needing no further forming; 3 % elongation rules out bending.
Values for the H04 condition
Other 90Ag-10CdO tempers and conditions
90Ag-10CdO is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 90Ag-10CdO.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Pick the annealed soft state for riveting, deep-drawn contact strip and assemblies that need plastic deformation, accepting the lowest yield strength of 90 MPa. | 90 | 230 | 28 | 55 HB | 82 % IACS |
As-sintered / extruded powder-metallurgy stock | Choose sintered or extruded powder-metallurgy stock when the most uniform CdO distribution is needed for thick contact blocks and high-current breaking parts; 79 % IACS. | 110 | 215 | 14 | 60 HB | 79 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Choose quarter-hard strip, cold reduced about 11 %, when spring-type contacts need some stiffness yet must still take secondary forming; 180 MPa yield at 15 % elongation. | 180 | 270 | 15 | 70 HB | 81 % IACS |
Half hard | Use half-hard strip (≈21 % cold reduction) for contact bridges and sliding parts that are blanked and then essentially not bent again; 235 MPa yield, elongation down to 8 %. | 235 | 300 | 8 | 82 HB | 80.5 % IACS |
H04This page Full hard | Pick full-hard strip or wire (≈37 % cold reduction) for wear-resistant sliding contacts and fine-blanked parts needing no further forming; 3 % elongation rules out bending. | 300 | 340 | 3 | 95 HB | 80 % IACS |
What is 90Ag-10CdO-H04?
90Ag-10CdO-H04 is 90Ag-10CdO supplied in the H04 condition — pick full-hard strip or wire (≈37 % cold reduction) for wear-resistant sliding contacts and fine-blanked parts needing no further forming; 3 % elongation rules out bending. 90Ag-10CdO-H04 has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 91% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 80 GPa (11.6 Msi). 90Ag-10CdO-H04 has a density of 10.2 g/cm³ (0.368 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of precious metal grades. It melts at 960°C (1,760 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H04 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 100% of precious metal grades
- High strength — 300 MPa (43.5 ksi), better than 91% of precious metal grades
- High electrical conductivity — 80 % IACS, better than 83% of precious metal grades
- Conducts heat well — 315 W/m·K (182 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 — 30/100, worse than 94% of precious metal grades
90Ag-10CdO-H04 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 90Ag-10CdO-H04; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 90Ag-10CdO reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
90Ag-10CdO-H04 has a density of 10.2 g/cm³ (0.368 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of precious metal grades. It melts at 960°C (1,760 °F).
Mechanical11
90Ag-10CdO-H04 has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 91% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 80 GPa (11.6 Msi).
Thermal6
90Ag-10CdO-H04 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 315 W/m·K (182 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 76% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 19 µm/m·K (10.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
90Ag-10CdO-H04 conducts electricity at 80 % IACS, better than 83% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 61% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 90Ag-10CdO-H04 takes about 1,500 MJ of energy and emits 115 kg of CO₂ — more than 51% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
90Ag-10CdO-H04's machinability is good (65/100, better than 100% of precious metal grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 90Ag-10CdO-H04
Is 90Ag-10CdO easy to machine?
Soft and gummy, so use sharp carbide tools with large positive rake, high speed, light cuts and generous coolant. Cadmium-bearing chips and dust must be captured in a closed collection system for refining; do not dry grind.
Can 90Ag-10CdO be welded?
Not fusion welded. Contacts are attached by resistance welding, brazing with BAg fillers, or roll-bonded silver-copper clad backing to the carrier, with joining temperature kept below the CdO coarsening temperature.
Can 90Ag-10CdO be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed material is ductile enough for blanking, deep drawing, cold-headed rivets and wire drawing. Use intermediate anneals at about 550-650 °C in a protective atmosphere when cold work is heavy.
What surface finishes work on 90Ag-10CdO?
No anodizing. Light polishing or barrel burnishing gives a low contact-resistance surface; pack with anti-tarnish materials to prevent Ag2S darkening, and silver or gold plate if extra sulfide resistance is needed.
90Ag-10CdO 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 CdO phase (internal oxidation or powder blending) | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| impurities (total)total Cu, Fe, Pb and other impurities, per supply standard | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Agbalance, about 90 wt% | balance | — |
90Ag-10CdO-H04 — frequently asked
What is 90Ag-10CdO-H04 used for?
90Ag-10CdO-H04 is typically used for small relays, switches and low-current contactors. In short: legacy AgCdO contact benchmark; low, stable contact resistance; cadmium use restricted.
What is the yield strength of 90Ag-10CdO-H04?
90Ag-10CdO-H04 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 91% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 90Ag-10CdO-H04 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 100% of precious metal grades). Soft and gummy, so use sharp carbide tools with large positive rake, high speed, light cuts and generous coolant. Cadmium-bearing chips and dust must be captured in a closed collection system for refining; do not dry grind.
Can 90Ag-10CdO-H04 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Not fusion welded. Contacts are attached by resistance welding, brazing with BAg fillers, or roll-bonded silver-copper clad backing to the carrier, with joining temperature kept below the CdO coarsening temperature.
What surface finishes work on 90Ag-10CdO-H04?
No anodizing. Light polishing or barrel burnishing gives a low contact-resistance surface; pack with anti-tarnish materials to prevent Ag2S darkening, and silver or gold plate if extra sulfide resistance is needed.
Can 90Ag-10CdO-H04 be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed material is ductile enough for blanking, deep drawing, cold-headed rivets and wire drawing. Use intermediate anneals at about 550-650 °C in a protective atmosphere when cold work is heavy.
What is the maximum service temperature of 90Ag-10CdO-H04?
90Ag-10CdO-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 90Ag-10CdO-O and 90Ag-10CdO-H04?
O is the default condition — pick the annealed soft state for riveting, deep-drawn contact strip and assemblies that need plastic deformation, accepting the lowest yield strength of 90 MPa. H04: pick full-hard strip or wire (≈37 % cold reduction) for wear-resistant sliding contacts and fine-blanked parts needing no further forming; 3 % elongation rules out bending. Yield strength is 90 MPa in O versus 300 MPa in H04.
Sources
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Electrical Contact Materials) — ASM International (1990)
- Silver–cadmium oxide contact material (AgCdO10) technical data (2022)
- Silver alloys property data (Ag base, CdO dispersion) (2021)
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.