Precious Metal AgCdO12
EN Ag-CdO 88/12
The classic 88Ag-12CdO internal-oxidation contact material combining good conductivity with strong resistance to arc welding and material transfer, long the industry standard before cadmium-free alternatives.
Reference datasheet — AgCdO12 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 IO condition
AgCdO12 tempers and conditions
AgCdO12 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. IO is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IO-Annealed | Pick for deep-drawn or heavily riveted contacts where maximum ductility and lowest resistivity are needed. | 130 | 230 | 22 | 62 HB | 82 % IACS |
PM press-sinter-repress tips / pellets | Net-shape pressed contact buttons and pellets for contactors; slightly lower density and conductivity than wrought routes. | 150 | 215 | 9 | 64 HB | 74 % IACS |
PM-Extruded | Choose for thick sections and large contacts where internal oxidation cannot reach the core; CdO distribution is uniform through thickness. | 170 | 245 | 15 | 68 HB | 76 % IACS |
IODefault Internally oxidized strip/tape | Standard internally oxidized 88Ag-12CdO strip for stamped contacts and welded tips — best conductivity/anti-weld balance. | 200 | 270 | 12 | 80 HB | 80 % IACS |
IO-Hard | Hard temper strip and rivet wire where contact wear resistance and stiffness matter more than ductility. | 280 | 330 | 4 | 99 HB | 78 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways AgCdO12 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
BIM | Bimetal / Ag-backed composite | Surface finish |
What is AgCdO12?
The classic 88Ag-12CdO internal-oxidation contact material combining good conductivity with strong resistance to arc welding and material transfer, long the industry standard before cadmium-free alternatives. AgCdO12 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). AgCdO12 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — stronger than 51% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 80 GPa (11.6 Msi).
What is AgCdO12 used for?
- contactor contacts
- relay contacts
- circuit breaker contacts
- switchgear contacts
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades
- Conducts heat well — 330 W/m·K (190.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of precious metal grades
- High electrical conductivity — 80 % IACS, better than 83% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 88% of precious metal grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 78% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 70/100, worse than 78% of precious metal grades
- Hard to polish — 70/100, worse than 76% of precious metal grades
AgCdO12 properties
Typical room-temperature values for AgCdO12-IO; bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
AgCdO12 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).
Mechanical14
AgCdO12 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — stronger than 51% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 80 GPa (11.6 Msi).
Thermal6
AgCdO12 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °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 19 µm/m·K (10.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AgCdO12 conducts electricity at 80 % IACS, better than 83% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AgCdO12 takes about 1,300 MJ of energy and emits 110 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
AgCdO12's machinability is good (55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability very good (70/100).
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. AgCdO12 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AgCdO12
Is AgCdO12 easy to machine?
Machines like soft silver — sharp, high-rake, polished carbide tools, generous cutting fluid to prevent smearing; capture all dust because CdO is toxic.
Can AgCdO12 be welded?
Not fusion-welded; joined by resistance welding or Ag-brazing onto a silver or copper backing layer, never braze directly on the oxide-rich contact face.
Can AgCdO12 be formed, bent or molded?
IO strip stamps, coins and rivets readily in the soft/semi-hard temper; interanneal at 550–650 °C in air or inert gas if severe drawing is required.
AgCdO12 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 cadmium oxide (≈10.5 wt% Cd as metal) formed by internal oxidation or added as powder | 11 – 13 | 12 |
| Other (total impurities)Cu, Fe, Pb, Bi etc.; additive dopants (Ni, Ag₂O formers) sometimes ≤0.5 % in proprietary grades | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Agmatrix, fine silver | ≥ 87 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on AgCdO12?
Contact faces are used as-rolled or lightly skin-passed; carriers may be Ag- or Sn-plated. Do not grind dry — cadmium fume/dust extraction and RoHS exemption documentation are mandatory.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Precious Metal AgCdO12 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- Ag-CdO 88/12
- Also called
- AgCdO 88/12
How much does AgCdO12 cost?
AgCdO12 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.
AgCdO12 — frequently asked
What is AgCdO12 used for?
AgCdO12 is typically used for contactor contacts, relay contacts, circuit breaker contacts and switchgear contacts. In short: highest-conductivity oxide contact; proven anti-weld performance; cadmium-restricted legacy grade.
What is the yield strength of AgCdO12?
AgCdO12 has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — stronger than 51% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is AgCdO12 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades). Machines like soft silver — sharp, high-rake, polished carbide tools, generous cutting fluid to prevent smearing; capture all dust because CdO is toxic.
Can AgCdO12 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not fusion-welded; joined by resistance welding or Ag-brazing onto a silver or copper backing layer, never braze directly on the oxide-rich contact face.
What surface finishes work on AgCdO12?
Contact faces are used as-rolled or lightly skin-passed; carriers may be Ag- or Sn-plated. Do not grind dry — cadmium fume/dust extraction and RoHS exemption documentation are mandatory.
Can AgCdO12 be formed, bent or molded?
IO strip stamps, coins and rivets readily in the soft/semi-hard temper; interanneal at 550–650 °C in air or inert gas if severe drawing is required.
What is the maximum service temperature of AgCdO12?
AgCdO12 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 AgCdO12-IO and AgCdO12 IO-H?
IO is the default condition — standard internally oxidized 88Ag-12CdO strip for stamped contacts and welded tips — best conductivity/anti-weld balance. IO-H: hard temper strip and rivet wire where contact wear resistance and stiffness matter more than ductility. Yield strength is 200 MPa in IO versus 280 MPa in IO-H.
How much does AgCdO12 cost?
AgCdO12 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
- ASTM B692 — Standard Specification for Silver-Cadmium Oxide Electrical Contact Material — ASTM International (2018)
- Data Book of Electrical Contacts — DODUCO / AMI Doduco (2012)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Electrical Contact Materials) — ASM International (1990)
- Silver metal oxide contact materials (AgCdO, AgSnO₂) technical data — Metalor Technologies / AMI Doduco (2022)
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.