Precious Metal Argentium 935-O (Annealed)
Temper · default condition
Standard stocked sheet/wire condition for forming, raising, forging and stone setting.
Values for the O condition
Other Argentium 935 tempers and conditions
Argentium 935 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at Argentium 935.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefaultThis page Annealed | Standard stocked sheet/wire condition for forming, raising, forging and stone setting. | 80 | 260 | 45 | 48 HB | 80 % IACS |
As fabricated | Directly cast jewellery pieces before any hardening treatment; softest and least wear resistant. | 120 | 270 | 15 | 57 HB | 78 % IACS |
As-cast plus precipitation hardening | Standard finishing route for cast Argentium items to raise surface hardness before polishing. | 200 | 340 | 8 | 85 HB | 81 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light rolling/drawing for sheet that must keep shape while still bending without cracking. | 220 | 330 | 20 | 72 HB | 79 % IACS |
Annealed then precipitation (age) hardened ~300 °C | Pick when a formed or cast part must be hardened after shaping without any cold work. | 300 | 400 | 20 | 95 HB | 82 % IACS |
Half hard | Common wire/sheet temper for earwires, bezels and findings needing springback and shape retention. | 320 | 400 | 10 | 90 HB | 78 % IACS |
Hardened | Maximum as-worked strength for springs, clasps, pin stems and thin stiff sections. | 450 | 500 | 4 | 115 HB | 77 % IACS |
Cold worked plus precipitation hardened | Highest hardness and wear resistance — rings, bangles and spring components that must resist denting. | 500 | 560 | 3 | 133 HB | 78 % IACS |
What is Argentium 935-O?
Argentium 935-O is Argentium 935 in the O temper — standard stocked sheet/wire condition for forming, raising, forging and stone setting. Argentium 935-O has a yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — weaker than 88% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi). Argentium 935-O has a density of 10.3 g/cm³ (0.372 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of precious metal grades. It melts at 800°C (1,472 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 99% of precious metal grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 97% of precious metal grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 96/100, better than 94% of precious metal grades
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 91% of precious metal grades
- Easy to machine — 55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 76 GPa (11 Msi), worse than 96% of precious metal grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 89% of precious metal grades
- Low strength — 80 MPa (11.6 ksi), worse than 88% of precious metal grades
Argentium 935-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for Argentium 935-O; 18 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Argentium 935 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
Argentium 935-O has a density of 10.3 g/cm³ (0.372 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of precious metal grades. It melts at 800°C (1,472 °F).
Mechanical12
Argentium 935-O has a yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — weaker than 88% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi).
Thermal6
Argentium 935-O is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °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 18.9 µm/m·K (10.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Argentium 935-O conducts electricity at 80 % IACS, better than 83% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), worse than 56% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Argentium 935-O takes about 1,600 MJ of energy and emits 120 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
Argentium 935-O's machinability is good (55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability excellent (95/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Argentium 935-O
Is Argentium 935 easy to machine?
Machines like sterling — gummy and prone to built-up edge; use sharp polished-flute HSS/carbide, high speed, light feed and generous lubricant, or machine in the age-hardened condition for cleaner chips.
Can Argentium 935 be welded?
Outstanding for laser and PUK/fusion welding — the germanium film suppresses oxidation, so joints stay bright with no firescale; support hot work carefully as the alloy is very weak just below the solidus.
Can Argentium 935 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability when annealed (about 580–650 °C, air cool); interanneal after ~50–60 % reduction and avoid handling parts while hot.
What surface finishes work on Argentium 935?
Polishes to a whiter, brighter finish than 925 with no firescale layer to remove; age-harden at ~300 °C for 45–60 min before final polish, and rhodium plating is optional rather than needed.
Argentium 935 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aghallmark fineness 935 | 93.5 – 94.5 | 93.5 |
| Geforms protective GeO2 surface film; suppresses firescale | 0.8 – 1.5 | 1.2 |
| Cubalance, with trace deoxidiser/grain-refiner additions | balance | — |
Argentium 935-O — frequently asked
What is Argentium 935-O used for?
Argentium 935-O is typically used for jewelry, flatware, hollowware and wedding bands. In short: firescale-free sterling substitute; best laser-weldable silver; age-hardenable precious alloy.
What is the yield strength of Argentium 935-O?
Argentium 935-O has a typical yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — weaker than 88% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is Argentium 935-O easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades). Machines like sterling — gummy and prone to built-up edge; use sharp polished-flute HSS/carbide, high speed, light feed and generous lubricant, or machine in the age-hardened condition for cleaner chips.
Can Argentium 935-O be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Outstanding for laser and PUK/fusion welding — the germanium film suppresses oxidation, so joints stay bright with no firescale; support hot work carefully as the alloy is very weak just below the solidus.
What surface finishes work on Argentium 935-O?
Polishes to a whiter, brighter finish than 925 with no firescale layer to remove; age-harden at ~300 °C for 45–60 min before final polish, and rhodium plating is optional rather than needed.
Can Argentium 935-O be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability when annealed (about 580–650 °C, air cool); interanneal after ~50–60 % reduction and avoid handling parts while hot.
What is the maximum service temperature of Argentium 935-O?
Argentium 935-O 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 Argentium 935-O and Argentium 935-H?
O is the default condition — standard stocked sheet/wire condition for forming, raising, forging and stone setting. H: maximum as-worked strength for springs, clasps, pin stems and thin stiff sections. Yield strength is 80 MPa in O versus 450 MPa in H.
Sources
- Argentium Silver technical data (935 and 960) — Argentium International Ltd (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (silver alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology — papers on germanium-modified sterling — Met-Chem Research (2010)
- Cooksongold / Rio Grande Argentium sheet & wire product data — Cookson-Clal / Rio Grande (2023)
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.