Precious Metal AgC3 PSRS
Heat-treated state
PSRS = pressed, sintered, re-pressed and re-sintered
Choose when a pressed shape must reach near-full density and higher hardness/conductivity without extrusion.
Values for the PSRS condition
Other AgC3 tempers and conditions
AgC3 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at AgC3.
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 |
PSRSThis page 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 |
What is AgC3 PSRS?
AgC3 PSRS is AgC3 heat treated to PSRS — choose when a pressed shape must reach near-full density and higher hardness/conductivity without extrusion. AgC3 PSRS has a yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) — weaker than 84% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 58 GPa (8.41 Msi). AgC3 PSRS has a density of 9.35 g/cm³ (0.338 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of precious metal grades. It melts at 961°C (1,762 °F). EXT-L is the default condition FabDigit quotes; PSRS is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 99% of precious metal grades
- High electrical conductivity — 75 % IACS, better than 77% of precious metal grades
- Conducts heat well — 305 W/m·K (176.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 58 GPa (8.41 Msi), worse than 99% of precious metal grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 99% of precious metal grades
- Limited ductility — 5%, worse than 93% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 35/100, worse than 92% of precious metal grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 86% of precious metal grades
AgC3 PSRS properties
Typical room-temperature values for AgC3 PSRS; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are AgC3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
AgC3 PSRS has a density of 9.35 g/cm³ (0.338 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of precious metal grades. It melts at 961°C (1,762 °F).
Mechanical11
AgC3 PSRS has a yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) — weaker than 84% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 58 GPa (8.41 Msi).
Thermal6
AgC3 PSRS is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 305 W/m·K (176.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 19 µm/m·K (10.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AgC3 PSRS conducts electricity at 75 % IACS, better than 77% 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 PSRS 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 PSRS's machinability is good (62/100, better than 99% of precious metal grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with AgC3 PSRS
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.
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.
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) | — |
AgC3 PSRS — frequently asked
What is AgC3 PSRS used for?
AgC3 PSRS 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 PSRS?
AgC3 PSRS has a typical yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) — weaker than 84% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is AgC3 PSRS 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 PSRS 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 PSRS?
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 PSRS 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 PSRS?
AgC3 PSRS 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.