Precious Metal AgC3
AgC3 is a silver-graphite composite containing about 3% graphite in a silver matrix, produced as press-sintered blanks or as extruded stock with longitudinal or transverse graphite orientation.
Reference datasheet — AgC3 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the EXT-L condition
AgC3 tempers and conditions
AgC3 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. EXT-L is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Extruded, properties transverse to extrusion direction | Same extruded stock evaluated across the graphite lamellae — use these lower numbers when current or heat must cross the alignment direction. | 90 | 120 | 4 | 38 HB | 64 % IACS |
Pressed, sintered, re-pressed and re-sintered | Choose when a pressed shape must reach near-full density and higher hardness/conductivity without extrusion. | 100 | 140 | 5 | 36 HB | 75 % IACS |
EXT-LDefault Extruded, properties parallel to extrusion | Standard stocked form for contact rods/strip: highest density and conductivity, oriented graphite gives the lowest, most stable contact friction on the sliding face. | 110 | 170 | 10 | 38 HB | 79 % IACS |
Pressed and sintered | Net-shape pressed tips/blocks with randomly oriented graphite: isotropic behaviour, slightly lower density, strength and conductivity than extruded. | 110 | 4 | 32 HB | 71 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways AgC3 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
AGBK | AgC3 contact layer with sintered/clad fine-silver backing for brazing… | Surface finish |
What is AgC3?
AgC3 is a silver-graphite composite containing about 3% graphite in a silver matrix, produced as press-sintered blanks or as extruded stock with longitudinal or transverse graphite orientation. The graphite gives low, stable friction and strong resistance to contact welding, while the silver matrix delivers 79% IACS and 320 W/m·K for sliding contacts and frequently switched low-current devices. Strength is low (170 MPa tensile, 110 MPa yield, 38 HB) with 10% elongation, and maximum service temperature is 250 °C. It is not fusion weldable and erodes under heavy arcing, so AgNi or AgW grades are preferred for high-current breaking duty. AgC3 has a density of 9.4 g/cm³ (0.34 lb/in³), lighter than 82% of precious metal grades. It melts at 961°C (1,762 °F). AgC3 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 10% and the elastic modulus is 62 GPa (8.99 Msi).
What is AgC3 used for?
- knife switches
- disconnect blades
- sliding contacts
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 99% of precious metal grades
- High electrical conductivity — 79 % IACS, better than 81% of precious metal grades
- Conducts heat well — 320 W/m·K (184.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 80% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 62 GPa (8.99 Msi), worse than 99% of precious metal grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 99% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 45/100, worse than 91% of precious metal grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 89% of precious metal grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 86% of precious metal grades
AgC3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for AgC3-EXT-L; bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
AgC3 has a density of 9.4 g/cm³ (0.34 lb/in³), lighter than 82% of precious metal grades. It melts at 961°C (1,762 °F).
Mechanical11
AgC3 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 10% and the elastic modulus is 62 GPa (8.99 Msi).
Thermal6
AgC3 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 320 W/m·K (184.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 80% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 19 µm/m·K (10.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AgC3 conducts electricity at 79 % IACS, better than 81% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), worse than 61% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AgC3 takes about 1,450 MJ of energy and emits 100 kg of CO₂ — less than 54% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability6
AgC3's machinability is good (62/100, better than 99% of precious metal grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (45/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the precious metal family
Yield strength against density for every precious metal grade FabDigit runs. AgC3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AgC3
Is AgC3 easy to machine?
Turns and drills easily with sharp, polished-flute carbide or HSS tools and light feeds; graphite dust is abrasive/conductive so collect it, and avoid smearing silver by using positive rake and no built-up-edge conditions.
Can AgC3 be welded?
Not fusion-weldable — graphite prevents sound fusion; attach by resistance welding or brazing only through a graphite-free fine-silver backing layer.
Can AgC3 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as pressed-sintered or extruded semi-finished product; cold coining, riveting and light bending are possible but ductility is low, so avoid tight-radius forming and cold heading of extruded stock across the grain.
AgC3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cgraphite, ~12 vol%; lamellar or flake grade | 2.5 – 3.5 | 3 |
| Other (total impurities)Cu, Fe, Pb, O residuals | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Agfine silver matrix, ≥99.95 % purity powder | ≥ 96.4 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on AgC3?
Normally used as-machined or lightly ground; graphite pull-out limits mirror polish, and electroplating over the contact face is not done — clean with alcohol, avoid sulfur-bearing wraps and rubber packaging to prevent tarnish.
How much does AgC3 cost?
AgC3 is a high-cost precious metal ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
AgC3 — frequently asked
What is AgC3 used for?
AgC3 is typically used for knife switches, disconnect blades and sliding contacts. In short: lowest-friction silver contact; strong anti-weld behaviour; low strength, low arc duty.
What is the yield strength of AgC3?
AgC3 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 AgC3 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 99% of precious metal grades). Turns and drills easily with sharp, polished-flute carbide or HSS tools and light feeds; graphite dust is abrasive/conductive so collect it, and avoid smearing silver by using positive rake and no built-up-edge conditions.
Can AgC3 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not fusion-weldable — graphite prevents sound fusion; attach by resistance welding or brazing only through a graphite-free fine-silver backing layer.
What surface finishes work on AgC3?
Normally used as-machined or lightly ground; graphite pull-out limits mirror polish, and electroplating over the contact face is not done — clean with alcohol, avoid sulfur-bearing wraps and rubber packaging to prevent tarnish.
Can AgC3 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as pressed-sintered or extruded semi-finished product; cold coining, riveting and light bending are possible but ductility is low, so avoid tight-radius forming and cold heading of extruded stock across the grain.
What is the maximum service temperature of AgC3?
AgC3 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between AgC3 EXT-L and AgC3 EXT-T?
EXT-L is the default condition — standard stocked form for contact rods/strip: highest density and conductivity, oriented graphite gives the lowest, most stable contact friction on the sliding face. EXT-T: same extruded stock evaluated across the graphite lamellae — use these lower numbers when current or heat must cross the alignment direction. Yield strength is 110 MPa in EXT-L versus 90 MPa in EXT-T.
How much does AgC3 cost?
AgC3 is a high-cost precious metal ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Data Book of Electrical Contacts (silver–graphite contact materials) — Doduco (2012)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Electrical Contact Materials) — ASM International (1990)
- Silver-graphite (AgC) contact material datasheets — Umicore / Metalor / (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.