Precious Metal AgCu10 Annealed
Temper · default condition
ASTM B413
Choose for deep drawing, spinning, bending and contact riveting where maximum ductility and conductivity are needed.
Values for the Annealed condition
Other AgCu10 tempers and conditions
AgCu10 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at AgCu10.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Feedstock condition for further rolling/drawing, and for cast jewellery and contact blanks; coarse dendritic structure, lower ductility. | 105 | 245 | 20 | 62 HB | 82 % IACS |
AnnealedDefaultThis page 600–650 °C anneal, strip/wire/sheet | Choose for deep drawing, spinning, bending and contact riveting where maximum ductility and conductivity are needed. | 115 | 285 | 35 | 60 HB | 85 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light temper for parts that still need moderate bending but higher stiffness than soft strip. | 250 | 350 | 18 | 82 HB | 84 % IACS |
Half hard | Common stocked strip/wire temper for stamped contacts and blanks needing good strength with some formability. | 320 | 400 | 10 | 97 HB | 84 % IACS |
Full hard | Pick for contact rivets, brushes and wear surfaces needing maximum hardness and wear resistance with minimal forming. | 420 | 480 | 4 | 115 HB | 83 % IACS |
Spring hard | For conductive springs and contact fingers where elastic limit matters more than ductility; softens above ~180 °C. | 490 | 545 | 2 | 132 HB | 82 % IACS |
What is AgCu10 Annealed?
AgCu10 Annealed is AgCu10 in the Annealed temper — choose for deep drawing, spinning, bending and contact riveting where maximum ductility and conductivity are needed. AgCu10 Annealed has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) — weaker than 78% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi). AgCu10 Annealed has a density of 10.31 g/cm³ (0.372 lb/in³), lighter than 52% of precious metal grades. It melts at 779°C (1,434 °F).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 355 W/m·K (205.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of precious metal grades
- High electrical conductivity — 85 % IACS, better than 88% of precious metal grades
- Easy to machine — 55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 35%, better than 83% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 78 GPa (11.3 Msi), worse than 90% of precious metal grades
- Low strength — 115 MPa (16.7 ksi), worse than 78% of precious metal grades
AgCu10 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for AgCu10 Annealed; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are AgCu10 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
AgCu10 Annealed has a density of 10.31 g/cm³ (0.372 lb/in³), lighter than 52% of precious metal grades. It melts at 779°C (1,434 °F).
Mechanical11
AgCu10 Annealed has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) — weaker than 78% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi).
Thermal6
AgCu10 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 355 W/m·K (205.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 19 µm/m·K (10.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AgCu10 Annealed conducts electricity at 85 % IACS, better than 88% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), worse than 56% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AgCu10 Annealed takes about 1,400 MJ of energy and emits 95 kg of CO₂ — less than 57% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
AgCu10 Annealed's machinability is good (55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades); weldability good (60/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with AgCu10 Annealed
Is AgCu10 easy to machine?
Very gummy when annealed — use sharp positive-rake carbide/HSS tools, high speed, light feeds and a good lubricant; half-hard or hard temper machines far more cleanly.
Can AgCu10 be welded?
Resistance, laser and micro-TIG welding are used for contact attachment; high thermal conductivity demands high, short energy pulses, and brazing with Ag-Cu-Zn filler is often preferred.
Can AgCu10 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in the annealed temper (deep drawing, coining, wire drawing); work hardens moderately, so interanneal at 600–650 °C with rapid cooling to avoid fire-scale.
What surface finishes work on AgCu10?
Polishes to a mirror; protect against sulfide tarnish with rhodium/gold flash or anti-tarnish lacquer; pickle in dilute sulfuric acid after annealing to remove Cu-oxide firescale.
AgCu10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Agcoin-silver / 900 fineness level | 89 – 91 | 90 |
| Pbimpurity limit typical of contact-grade material | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Biimpurity limit (hot-shortness) | ≤ 0 | — |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Other impurities, totaltypical producer limit | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Cubalance, forms Ag-Cu eutectic | ≥ 9 (balance) | — |
AgCu10 Annealed — frequently asked
What is AgCu10 Annealed used for?
AgCu10 Annealed is typically used for relay contacts, switch contacts and electrical connectors. In short: harder than fine silver; 85 % IACS contact alloy; excellent cold formability.
What is the yield strength of AgCu10 Annealed?
AgCu10 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) — weaker than 78% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is AgCu10 Annealed easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades). Very gummy when annealed — use sharp positive-rake carbide/HSS tools, high speed, light feeds and a good lubricant; half-hard or hard temper machines far more cleanly.
Can AgCu10 Annealed be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Resistance, laser and micro-TIG welding are used for contact attachment; high thermal conductivity demands high, short energy pulses, and brazing with Ag-Cu-Zn filler is often preferred.
What surface finishes work on AgCu10 Annealed?
Polishes to a mirror; protect against sulfide tarnish with rhodium/gold flash or anti-tarnish lacquer; pickle in dilute sulfuric acid after annealing to remove Cu-oxide firescale.
Can AgCu10 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in the annealed temper (deep drawing, coining, wire drawing); work hardens moderately, so interanneal at 600–650 °C with rapid cooling to avoid fire-scale.
What is the maximum service temperature of AgCu10 Annealed?
AgCu10 Annealed 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 AgCu10 Annealed and AgCu10-H08?
Annealed is the default condition — choose for deep drawing, spinning, bending and contact riveting where maximum ductility and conductivity are needed. H08: for conductive springs and contact fingers where elastic limit matters more than ductility; softens above ~180 °C. Yield strength is 115 MPa in Annealed versus 490 MPa in H08.
Sources
- ASTM B413 — Standard Specification for Refined Silver — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Precious Metals) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 3 — Alloy Phase Diagrams (Ag-Cu system) — ASM International (1992)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (Precious Metals) — ASM International (2005)
- Silver-based electrical contact materials data (AgCu grades) — Contact material producers (e.g. Metalor / Deringer-Ney class data) (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.