Precious Metal AgNi10-H (Hardened)
Heat-treated state
EN Ag-Ni 90/10
Choose when maximum hardness and wear/erosion resistance of the finished contact face is needed and little forming follows.
Values for the H condition
Other AgNi10 tempers and conditions
AgNi10 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at AgNi10.
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 |
HThis page 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 |
What is AgNi10-H?
AgNi10-H is AgNi10 heat treated to H — choose when maximum hardness and wear/erosion resistance of the finished contact face is needed and little forming follows. AgNi10-H has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — stronger than 87% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi). AgNi10-H 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). S is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 100% of precious metal grades
- High electrical conductivity — 86 % IACS, better than 90% of precious metal grades
- High strength — 255 MPa (37 ksi), better than 87% of precious metal grades
- Conducts heat well — 335 W/m·K (193.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 100% of precious metal grades
- Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 93% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 40/100, worse than 91% of precious metal grades
- Hard to polish — 70/100, worse than 76% of precious metal grades
AgNi10-H properties
Typical room-temperature values for AgNi10-H; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are AgNi10 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
AgNi10-H 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-H has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — stronger than 87% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).
Thermal6
AgNi10-H is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 335 W/m·K (193.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 18.5 µm/m·K (10.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AgNi10-H conducts electricity at 86 % IACS, better than 90% 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-H 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-H's machinability is good (65/100, better than 100% of precious metal grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with AgNi10-H
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.
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).
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 | — |
AgNi10-H — frequently asked
What is AgNi10-H used for?
AgNi10-H 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-H?
AgNi10-H has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — stronger than 87% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is AgNi10-H easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 100% 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-H 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-H?
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-H 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-H?
AgNi10-H is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.