Precious Metal 90Ag-10SnO2-PS
Heat-treated state
ASTM B735
Low-cost net-shape blocks/tips for larger contactors; slightly porous, so strength and conductivity are below the extruded material.
Values for the PS 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PSThis page 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. | 110 | 170 | 6 | 57 HB | 85 % IACS |
ODefault Annealed | Standard stock condition for stamping, riveting and cold heading of contact tips. | 130 | 240 | 18 | 62 HB | 95 % IACS |
1/2H | Compromise condition when tips must resist deformation under contact force but still be riveted. | 210 | 280 | 8 | 76 HB | 93 % IACS |
Hardened | Choose for high mechanical wear resistance and low deformation of the contact face; minimal further forming possible. | 280 | 330 | 3 | 95 HB | 91 % IACS |
What is 90Ag-10SnO2-PS?
90Ag-10SnO2-PS is 90Ag-10SnO2 heat treated to PS — low-cost net-shape blocks/tips for larger contactors; slightly porous, so strength and conductivity are below the extruded material. 90Ag-10SnO2-PS has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 80% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi). 90Ag-10SnO2-PS has a density of 9.5 g/cm³ (0.343 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of precious metal grades. It melts at 961°C (1,762 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; PS is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 85 % IACS, better than 88% of precious metal grades
- Conducts heat well — 330 W/m·K (190.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 75 GPa (10.9 Msi), worse than 98% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 96% of precious metal grades
- Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 93% of precious metal grades
- Hard to polish — 65/100, worse than 87% of precious metal grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 86% of precious metal grades
90Ag-10SnO2-PS properties
Typical room-temperature values for 90Ag-10SnO2-PS; 19 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-PS has a density of 9.5 g/cm³ (0.343 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of precious metal grades. It melts at 961°C (1,762 °F).
Mechanical11
90Ag-10SnO2-PS has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 80% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
Thermal6
90Ag-10SnO2-PS is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 330 W/m·K (190.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 18.5 µm/m·K (10.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
90Ag-10SnO2-PS conducts electricity at 85 % IACS, better than 88% 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 90Ag-10SnO2-PS 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%.
Manufacturability7
90Ag-10SnO2-PS's machinability is fair (50/100, better than 74% of precious metal grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 90Ag-10SnO2-PS
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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| SnO2fine dispersed tin oxide | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Bi2O3+CuO+In2O3 (additives)wetting/erosion additives, producer-specific; may be absent | 0 – 1 | 0.4 |
| Agnominal 90 wt% silver, ≥99.95 % purity base powder | balance | — |
90Ag-10SnO2-PS — frequently asked
What is 90Ag-10SnO2-PS used for?
90Ag-10SnO2-PS 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-PS?
90Ag-10SnO2-PS has a typical yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 80% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 90Ag-10SnO2-PS easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, better than 74% 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-PS be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). 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-PS?
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-PS 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-PS?
90Ag-10SnO2-PS 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 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
- DODUCO Data Book of Electrical Contacts — DODUCO GmbH (2012)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Electrical Contact Materials) — ASM International (1990)
- Silver tin oxide AgSnO2 contact material data sheets — Umicore / Metalor / AMI Doduco (2022)
- 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.