Precious Metal AgCu10-M
Heat-treated state
ASTM B413
M = thermomechanically controlled processed
Feedstock condition for further rolling/drawing, and for cast jewellery and contact blanks; coarse dendritic structure, lower ductility.
Values for the M 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MThis page 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 |
AnnealedDefault 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-M?
AgCu10-M is AgCu10 heat treated to M — feedstock condition for further rolling/drawing, and for cast jewellery and contact blanks; coarse dendritic structure, lower ductility. AgCu10-M has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) — weaker than 82% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi). AgCu10-M 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; M is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 60/100, better than 97% of precious metal grades
- Conducts heat well — 345 W/m·K (199.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of precious metal grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades
- High electrical conductivity — 82 % IACS, better than 85% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 76 GPa (11 Msi), worse than 96% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 50/100, worse than 90% of precious metal grades
- Low strength — 105 MPa (15.2 ksi), worse than 82% of precious metal grades
- Limited ductility — 20%, worse than 77% of precious metal grades
AgCu10-M properties
Typical room-temperature values for AgCu10-M; 20 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-M 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-M has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) — weaker than 82% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi).
Thermal6
AgCu10-M is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 345 W/m·K (199.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 19 µm/m·K (10.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AgCu10-M conducts electricity at 82 % IACS, better than 85% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (76/100), worse than 59% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AgCu10-M 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-M's machinability is good (60/100, better than 97% of precious metal grades); weldability good (65/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with AgCu10-M
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-M — frequently asked
What is AgCu10-M used for?
AgCu10-M 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-M?
AgCu10-M has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) — weaker than 82% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is AgCu10-M easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 97% 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-M be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). 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-M?
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-M 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-M?
AgCu10-M 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.