FabDigitFabDigit

Precious Metal 90Ag-10SnO2-H (Hardened)

Heat-treated state

ASTM B735

Choose for high mechanical wear resistance and low deformation of the contact face; minimal further forming possible.

High cost $$$$

Values for the H condition

Other 90Ag-10SnO2 tempers and conditions

90Ag-10SnO2 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 90Ag-10SnO2.

Compare all 4 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
pressed and sintered (single-pressed contact blocks, not extruded)
Low-cost net-shape blocks/tips for larger contactors; slightly porous, so strength and conductivity are below the extruded material.110170657 HB85 % IACS
ODefault
Annealed
Standard stock condition for stamping, riveting and cold heading of contact tips.1302401862 HB95 % IACS
1/2H
Compromise condition when tips must resist deformation under contact force but still be riveted.210280876 HB93 % IACS
HThis page
Hardened
Choose for high mechanical wear resistance and low deformation of the contact face; minimal further forming possible.280330395 HB91 % IACS

What is 90Ag-10SnO2-H?

90Ag-10SnO2-H is 90Ag-10SnO2 heat treated to H — choose for high mechanical wear resistance and low deformation of the contact face; minimal further forming possible. 90Ag-10SnO2-H has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 88% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 92 GPa (13.3 Msi). 90Ag-10SnO2-H has a density of 9.95 g/cm³ (0.359 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of precious metal grades. It melts at 961°C (1,762 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High electrical conductivity — 91 % IACS, better than 95% of precious metal grades
  • Conducts heat well — 360 W/m·K (208 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 94% of precious metal grades
  • High strength — 280 MPa (40.6 ksi), better than 88% of precious metal grades
  • Easy to machine — 55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 95% of precious metal grades
  • Limited formability — 25/100, worse than 95% of precious metal grades
  • Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 89% of precious metal grades
  • Hard to polish — 65/100, worse than 87% of precious metal grades
  • Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of precious metal grades

90Ag-10SnO2-H properties

Typical room-temperature values for 90Ag-10SnO2-H; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 90Ag-10SnO2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.

Physical3

90Ag-10SnO2-H has a density of 9.95 g/cm³ (0.359 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of precious metal grades. It melts at 961°C (1,762 °F).

Density9.95 g/cm³0.36 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)961°C1,762 °F
Liquidus Temperature962°C1,764 °F

Mechanical11

90Ag-10SnO2-H has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 88% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 92 GPa (13.3 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus92 GPa13.3 Msi
Shear Modulus33 GPa4.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus105 GPa15.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.37
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)330 MPa47.9 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)280 MPa40.6 ksi
Elongation at Break3%
Shear Strength195 MPa28.3 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)125 MPa18.1 ksi
Hardness, Brinell95 HB
Hardness, Vickers100 HV

Thermal6

90Ag-10SnO2-H is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 360 W/m·K (208 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 94% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 18.5 µm/m·K (10.3 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity360 W/m·K208 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity240 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)18.5 µm/m·K10.3 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion95 J/g40.8 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)200°C392 °F
Min Service Temperature-60°C-76 °F

Electrical3

90Ag-10SnO2-H conducts electricity at 91 % IACS, better than 95% of precious metal grades.

Electrical Conductivity91 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.9×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.748 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 61% of precious metal grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)0.1 V
Corrosion ResistanceExcellent85/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent in humid air, alkalis and most organics; tarnishes (Ag2S) in sulfur-bearing atmospheres and darkens in ozone/chlorine; attacked by nitric acid, hot concentrated sulfuric acid and ammonia/cyanide complexing media.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 90Ag-10SnO2-H takes about 1,350 MJ of energy and emits 100 kg of CO₂ — less than 59% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)1,350 MJ/kg580,396 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)100 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water2,500 L/kg300 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content40%

Manufacturability7

90Ag-10SnO2-H's machinability is good (55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (25/100).

MachinabilityGood55/100
WeldabilityPoor25/100
Formability (cold)Poor25/100
CastabilityNot recommended10/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good70/100
PolishabilityGood65/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — not an anodizable alloy system; contacts are used bare or with an Ag/Ni backing layer

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 90Ag-10SnO2-H

Is 90Ag-10SnO2 easy to machine?

Machinable with sharp, polished-flute carbide tools and light feeds, but the Ag matrix smears and the SnO₂ is abrasive — most parts are made net-shape by heading or stamping rather than cut.

Can 90Ag-10SnO2 be welded?

Not fusion welded — the oxide segregates in a molten pool; tips are resistance-welded or induction-brazed through a fine-silver/copper backing layer.

Can 90Ag-10SnO2 be formed, bent or molded?

Supply soft (O) strip/wire for stamping, cold heading and riveting; interanneal at ~600–700 °C in air or inert gas, and expect lower ductility than pure silver.

What surface finishes work on 90Ag-10SnO2?

Used bare; degrease and avoid sulfur-bearing packaging to prevent tarnish. Anti-tarnish coatings or Ag/Ni underplates are applied to the carrier, not the contact face.

90Ag-10SnO2 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
SnO2fine dispersed tin oxide9 – 1110
Bi2O3+CuO+In2O3 (additives)wetting/erosion additives, producer-specific; may be absent0 – 10.4
Agnominal 90 wt% silver, ≥99.95 % purity base powderbalance—

90Ag-10SnO2-H — frequently asked

What is 90Ag-10SnO2-H used for?

90Ag-10SnO2-H is typically used for relays, switches and low-voltage contactors. In short: highest-conductivity AgSnO2 grade; cadmium-free medium-duty contact; good balance of ductility.

What is the yield strength of 90Ag-10SnO2-H?

90Ag-10SnO2-H has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 88% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is 90Ag-10SnO2-H easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades). Machinable with sharp, polished-flute carbide tools and light feeds, but the Ag matrix smears and the SnO₂ is abrasive — most parts are made net-shape by heading or stamping rather than cut.

Can 90Ag-10SnO2-H be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not fusion welded — the oxide segregates in a molten pool; tips are resistance-welded or induction-brazed through a fine-silver/copper backing layer.

What surface finishes work on 90Ag-10SnO2-H?

Used bare; degrease and avoid sulfur-bearing packaging to prevent tarnish. Anti-tarnish coatings or Ag/Ni underplates are applied to the carrier, not the contact face.

Can 90Ag-10SnO2-H be formed, bent or molded?

Supply soft (O) strip/wire for stamping, cold heading and riveting; interanneal at ~600–700 °C in air or inert gas, and expect lower ductility than pure silver.

What is the maximum service temperature of 90Ag-10SnO2-H?

90Ag-10SnO2-H is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between 90Ag-10SnO2-O and 90Ag-10SnO2-H?

O is the default condition — standard stock condition for stamping, riveting and cold heading of contact tips. H: choose for high mechanical wear resistance and low deformation of the contact face; minimal further forming possible. Yield strength is 130 MPa in O versus 280 MPa in H.

Sources

  1. DODUCO Data Book of Electrical Contacts — DODUCO GmbH (2012)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Electrical Contact Materials) — ASM International (1990)
  3. Silver tin oxide AgSnO2 contact material data sheets — Umicore / Metalor / AMI Doduco (2022)
  4. IEC 60947-4-1 (contactor contact material practice) and related contact-material specifications — IEC (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.