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Precious Metal Pd60Ag40-F (As fabricated)

Temper

Melting stock for further working, paste/powder atomization or investment-cast dental and contact parts.

High cost $$$$

Values for the F condition

Other Pd60Ag40 tempers and conditions

Pd60Ag40 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at Pd60Ag40.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
FThis page
As fabricated
Melting stock for further working, paste/powder atomization or investment-cast dental and contact parts.1503502071 HB4.1 % IACS
ODefault
Annealed
Standard stocked condition for stamping, deep drawing, contact rivet heading and wire drawing.1804153080 HB4.1 % IACS
Quarter hard
Light cold work when slightly higher stiffness is needed but forming is still required.38052015114 HB4 % IACS
Half hard
Balance of strength and residual formability for stamped contact blades.5206208142 HB4 % IACS
Full hard
Hard strip/wire for wear-resistant sliding contacts and stiff cantilever contacts with minimal forming.6807603175 HB3.9 % IACS
Extra hard
Maximum-strength spring temper for relay spring contacts and probe wire.7808302197 HB3.9 % IACS

What is Pd60Ag40-F?

Pd60Ag40-F is Pd60Ag40 in the F temper — melting stock for further working, paste/powder atomization or investment-cast dental and contact parts. Pd60Ag40-F has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — weaker than 68% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 108 GPa (15.7 Msi). Pd60Ag40-F has a density of 11.35 g/cm³ (0.41 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,290°C (2,354 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; F is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 79% of precious metal grades
  • Stiff — 108 GPa (15.7 Msi), better than 76% of precious metal grades

Limitations

  • Poor heat conductor — 19.5 W/m·K (11.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of precious metal grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 4.1 % IACS, worse than 99% of precious metal grades
  • Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 86% of precious metal grades
  • Limited ductility — 20%, worse than 77% of precious metal grades

Pd60Ag40-F properties

Typical room-temperature values for Pd60Ag40-F; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Pd60Ag40 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.

Physical3

Pd60Ag40-F has a density of 11.35 g/cm³ (0.41 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,290°C (2,354 °F).

Density11.35 g/cm³0.41 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,290°C2,354 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,330°C2,426 °F

Mechanical14

Pd60Ag40-F has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — weaker than 68% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 108 GPa (15.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus108 GPa15.7 Msi
Shear Modulus40 GPa5.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus145 GPa21 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.37
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)350 MPa50.8 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)150 MPa21.8 ksi
Elongation at Break20%
Reduction in Area25%
Compressive Strength155 MPa22.5 ksi
Shear Strength230 MPa33.4 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)125 MPa18.1 ksi
Hardness, Brinell71 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B35 HRB
Hardness, Vickers75 HV

Thermal6

Pd60Ag40-F is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 19.5 W/m·K (11.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 14.5 µm/m·K (8.06 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity19.5 W/m·K11.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity240 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)14.5 µm/m·K8.1 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion136 J/g58.5 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)500°C932 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

Pd60Ag40-F conducts electricity at 4.1 % IACS, worse than 99% of precious metal grades.

Electrical Conductivity4.1 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity4.25×10⁻⁷ Ω·m16.7 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 69% of precious metal grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)0.2 V
Corrosion ResistanceExcellent90/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent resistance to atmospheric oxidation and to sulfide tarnish (Pd content suppresses Ag2S film); resists alkalis, organic acids and most industrial atmospheres. Attacked by aqua regia, hot nitric acid (silver dissolution), hot concentrated sulfuric acid, ferric chloride, and by halogen/sulfur atmospheres above ~400 °C.

Sustainability3

Producing a kilogram of Pd60Ag40-F takes about 44,000 MJ of energy and emits 2,400 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)44,000 MJ/kg1.89×10⁷ BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2,400 kg CO₂/kg
Typical Recycled Content60%

Manufacturability8

Pd60Ag40-F's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 86% of precious metal grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability very good (75/100).

MachinabilityPoor30/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)22%
WeldabilityVery good72/100
Formability (cold)Very good75/100
CastabilityVery good70/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent85/100
PolishabilityExcellent90/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — noble metal, not anodizable; surfaces are used bare or gold/ruthenium flash plated

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Pd60Ag40-F

Is Pd60Ag40 easy to machine?

Soft and gummy — use sharp, high-rake carbide or HSS tools, light feeds, flood lubrication, and collect all swarf for refining.

Can Pd60Ag40 be welded?

Resistance, laser and micro-TIG welding of contact rivets and blades work well; avoid sulfur- or halide-bearing fluxes.

Can Pd60Ag40 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability in the annealed state (deep drawing, heading, fine wire drawing); interanneal at 700–850 °C in inert or reducing atmosphere between heavy reductions.

What surface finishes work on Pd60Ag40?

Takes a mirror polish; usually used bare, sometimes gold, rhodium or ruthenium flash-plated to reduce organic-film (brown powder) build-up on low-level contacts. Not anodizable.

Pd60Ag40 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Pdprincipal noble constituent59 – 6160
Other (Cu, Ni, Pt, Au, Fe, Pb total)residual impurities, refiner-dependent≤ 0.150.05
Ag≥ 39 (balance)—

Pd60Ag40-F — frequently asked

What is Pd60Ag40-F used for?

Pd60Ag40-F is typically used for electrical contacts, thick-film resistor pastes and relay contacts. In short: most formable Pd alloy; lower-cost palladium contact; deep-drawable contact metal.

What is the yield strength of Pd60Ag40-F?

Pd60Ag40-F has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — weaker than 68% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is Pd60Ag40-F easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 86% of precious metal grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp, high-rake carbide or HSS tools, light feeds, flood lubrication, and collect all swarf for refining.

Can Pd60Ag40-F be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Resistance, laser and micro-TIG welding of contact rivets and blades work well; avoid sulfur- or halide-bearing fluxes.

What surface finishes work on Pd60Ag40-F?

Takes a mirror polish; usually used bare, sometimes gold, rhodium or ruthenium flash-plated to reduce organic-film (brown powder) build-up on low-level contacts. Not anodizable.

Can Pd60Ag40-F be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability in the annealed state (deep drawing, heading, fine wire drawing); interanneal at 700–850 °C in inert or reducing atmosphere between heavy reductions.

What is the maximum service temperature of Pd60Ag40-F?

Pd60Ag40-F is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between Pd60Ag40-O and Pd60Ag40-H06?

O is the default condition — standard stocked condition for stamping, deep drawing, contact rivet heading and wire drawing. H06: maximum-strength spring temper for relay spring contacts and probe wire. Yield strength is 180 MPa in O versus 780 MPa in H06.

Sources

  1. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (precious metals and electrical contact materials) — ASM International (1990)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol. 3 — Alloy Phase Diagrams (Ag-Pd system) — ASM International (1992)
  3. Smithells Metals Reference Book, 8th ed. — Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann (2004)
  4. Palladium-silver electrical contact alloy strip and wire data — Precious-metal contact fabricators (Deringer-Ney / Heraeus type data) (2022)
  5. Life-cycle inventories of 63 metals (Nuss & Eckelman, PLoS ONE) — Pd and Ag primary production — PLoS ONE (2014)

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.