Precious Metal AgNi10
EN Ag-Ni 90/10
AgNi10 is a sintered 90Ag-10Ni electrical contact material in which a fine nickel dispersion in a silver matrix provides arc-erosion resistance without cadmium, making it the accepted substitute for AgCdO.
Reference datasheet — AgNi10 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 S condition
AgNi10 tempers and conditions
AgNi10 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. S is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sintered | Pressed-and-sintered tips/blocks used where a slightly porous, machined-to-shape contact is acceptable and cost matters. | 70 | 180 | 8 | 52 HB | 85 % IACS |
SDefault Sintered/extruded, annealed | Default strip, wire and rivet condition — maximum ductility for stamping, coining and riveting of contacts. | 90 | 230 | 25 | 62 HV | 88 % IACS |
Half hard | Compromise condition for springy contact blades and rivet shanks that must resist deformation but still be formed. | 190 | 270 | 10 | 76 HB | 87 % IACS |
Hardened | Choose when maximum hardness and wear/erosion resistance of the finished contact face is needed and little forming follows. | 255 | 315 | 4 | 90 HB | 86 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways AgNi10 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
CLAD-CU | AgNi10 contact layer clad/brazed on Cu or CuZn carrier | Surface finish |
What is AgNi10?
AgNi10 is a sintered 90Ag-10Ni electrical contact material in which a fine nickel dispersion in a silver matrix provides arc-erosion resistance without cadmium, making it the accepted substitute for AgCdO. Engineers specify it for low-to-medium current switching because it holds 88 % IACS electrical conductivity and 345 W/m·K thermal conductivity while resisting contact sticking; it is supplied as soft and hard strip, wire, rivets, sintered blanks and copper-clad strip. With 230 MPa tensile strength, 90 MPa yield and a 200 °C service limit it is a contact facing rather than a structural alloy, and silver content drives both cost and swarf-reclaim handling. AgNi10 has a density of 10.25 g/cm³ (0.37 lb/in³), lighter than 55% of precious metal grades. It melts at 960°C (1,760 °F). AgNi10 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — weaker than 86% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).
What is AgNi10 used for?
- relay contacts
- contactor contacts
- household switchgear contacts
- automotive relay contacts
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 88 % IACS, better than 95% of precious metal grades
- Conducts heat well — 345 W/m·K (199.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of precious metal grades
- Easy to machine — 55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 89% of precious metal grades
- Low strength — 90 MPa (13.1 ksi), worse than 86% of precious metal grades
- Hard to polish — 70/100, worse than 76% of precious metal grades
AgNi10 properties
Typical room-temperature values for AgNi10-S; bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
AgNi10 has a density of 10.25 g/cm³ (0.37 lb/in³), lighter than 55% of precious metal grades. It melts at 960°C (1,760 °F).
Mechanical10
AgNi10 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — weaker than 86% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).
Thermal6
AgNi10 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °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 18.5 µm/m·K (10.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AgNi10 conducts electricity at 88 % IACS, better than 95% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 61% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AgNi10 takes about 1,380 MJ of energy and emits 100 kg of CO₂ — less than 58% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability6
AgNi10's machinability is good (55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability excellent (85/100).
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. AgNi10 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AgNi10
Is AgNi10 easy to machine?
Turns and parts readily with sharp positive-rake carbide/HSS tools and generous lubrication; the soft Ag matrix is gummy, so use high speed, light feed and avoid built-up edge, and collect all swarf for silver reclaim.
Can AgNi10 be welded?
Not fusion-welded as a structural material; contacts are attached by resistance (projection) welding, laser welding or Ag-brazing to Cu/brass/steel carriers — keep heat input short to avoid coarsening the Ni dispersion.
Can AgNi10 be formed, bent or molded?
Soft strip and wire stamp, coin, head and rivet excellently; hard tempers need intermediate annealing at 500–650 °C in a protective or reducing atmosphere.
AgNi10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nifine dispersed metallic Ni phase, insoluble in Ag | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Other (total impurities)Cu, Fe, Pb, Bi etc.; Cd-free by definition | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Agbalance, min 89.5 % typical acceptance | balance |
What surface finishes work on AgNi10?
Usually supplied bright as-drawn or lightly polished; no anodizing (n/a for silver alloys). Anti-tarnish passivation or thin gold/palladium flash is used for low-level signal duty; solderable with standard Ag-bearing solders (use silver-loaded alloys to avoid leaching).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Precious Metal AgNi10 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- Ag-Ni 90/10
- Also called
- AgNi 90/10
How much does AgNi10 cost?
AgNi10 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.
AgNi10 — frequently asked
What is AgNi10 used for?
AgNi10 is typically used for relay contacts, contactor contacts, household switchgear contacts and automotive relay contacts. In short: cadmium-free AgCdO replacement; 88 % IACS contact alloy; highly formable sintered silver.
What is the yield strength of AgNi10?
AgNi10 has a typical yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — weaker than 86% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is AgNi10 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades). Turns and parts readily with sharp positive-rake carbide/HSS tools and generous lubrication; the soft Ag matrix is gummy, so use high speed, light feed and avoid built-up edge, and collect all swarf for silver reclaim.
Can AgNi10 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Not fusion-welded as a structural material; contacts are attached by resistance (projection) welding, laser welding or Ag-brazing to Cu/brass/steel carriers — keep heat input short to avoid coarsening the Ni dispersion.
What surface finishes work on AgNi10?
Usually supplied bright as-drawn or lightly polished; no anodizing (n/a for silver alloys). Anti-tarnish passivation or thin gold/palladium flash is used for low-level signal duty; solderable with standard Ag-bearing solders (use silver-loaded alloys to avoid leaching).
Can AgNi10 be formed, bent or molded?
Soft strip and wire stamp, coin, head and rivet excellently; hard tempers need intermediate annealing at 500–650 °C in a protective or reducing atmosphere.
What is the maximum service temperature of AgNi10?
AgNi10 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between AgNi10-S and AgNi10-H?
S is the default condition — default strip, wire and rivet condition — maximum ductility for stamping, coining and riveting of contacts. H: choose when maximum hardness and wear/erosion resistance of the finished contact face is needed and little forming follows. Yield strength is 90 MPa in S versus 255 MPa in H.
How much does AgNi10 cost?
AgNi10 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 B693 – Standard Specification for Silver-Nickel Electrical Contact Materials — ASTM International (2018)
- Data Book of Electrical Contacts (AgNi contact materials section) — Doduco (2012)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (electrical contact materials) — ASM International (1990)
- Silver-nickel contact strip, wire and bimetal rivet datasheets — AMI Doduco / Umicore / Metalor (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.