Precious Metal AgCdO12-IO
Grade · default condition
EN Ag-CdO 88/12
IO = internally oxidized strip/tape
Standard internally oxidized 88Ag-12CdO strip for stamped contacts and welded tips — best conductivity/anti-weld balance.
Values for the IO condition
Other AgCdO12 tempers and conditions
AgCdO12 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at AgCdO12.
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 |
IODefaultThis page 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 |
What is AgCdO12-IO?
AgCdO12-IO is AgCdO12 in the IO grade — standard internally oxidized 88Ag-12CdO strip for stamped contacts and welded tips — best conductivity/anti-weld balance. AgCdO12-IO 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). AgCdO12-IO 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).
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-IO properties
Typical room-temperature values for AgCdO12-IO; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are AgCdO12 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
AgCdO12-IO 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-IO 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-IO 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-IO 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-IO 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-IO'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with AgCdO12-IO
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.
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.
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) | — |
AgCdO12-IO — frequently asked
What is AgCdO12-IO used for?
AgCdO12-IO 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-IO?
AgCdO12-IO 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-IO 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-IO 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-IO?
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-IO 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-IO?
AgCdO12-IO 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.