Precious Metal PtRu10 Spring
Heat-treated state
Spring = spring hard
Highest-strength temper for fine spring contact wire, probe tips and potentiometer brushes.
Values for the Spring condition
Other PtRu10 tempers and conditions
PtRu10 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at PtRu10.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft, fully recrystallised strip/wire | Standard supply condition for deep-drawn contact rivets, formed spring blanks and further cold working. | 250 | 520 | 28 | 133 HB | 4 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light temper for parts needing better stiffness than soft while still allowing moderate bending. | 450 | 650 | 15 | 176 HB | 3.9 % IACS |
Half hard | Balanced temper for relay blades and slip-ring brush strip needing elastic response plus some formability. | 620 | 780 | 8 | 18 HRC | 3.9 % IACS |
Full hard | Choose for maximum wear resistance on sliding contacts and probe/brush wire where forming is minimal. | 820 | 930 | 3 | 24 HRC | 3.9 % IACS |
SpringThis page Spring hard | Highest-strength temper for fine spring contact wire, probe tips and potentiometer brushes. | 950 | 1,050 | 2 | 28 HRC | 3.8 % IACS |
What is PtRu10 Spring?
PtRu10 Spring is PtRu10 heat treated to Spring — highest-strength temper for fine spring contact wire, probe tips and potentiometer brushes. PtRu10 Spring has a yield strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) — stronger than 101% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). PtRu10 Spring has a density of 20 g/cm³ (0.723 lb/in³), heavier than 93% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,780°C (3,236 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Spring is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 950 MPa (138 ksi), better than 101% of precious metal grades
- Stiff — 200 GPa (29 Msi), better than 97% of precious metal grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 96/100, better than 85% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.8 % IACS, worse than 100% of precious metal grades
- Poor heat conductor — 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of precious metal grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 98% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 12/100, worse than 97% of precious metal grades
- Heavy — 20 g/cm³ (0.723 lb/in³), worse than 93% of precious metal grades
PtRu10 Spring properties
Typical room-temperature values for PtRu10 Spring; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PtRu10 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
PtRu10 Spring has a density of 20 g/cm³ (0.723 lb/in³), heavier than 93% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,780°C (3,236 °F).
Mechanical13
PtRu10 Spring has a yield strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) — stronger than 101% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
PtRu10 Spring is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 9 µm/m·K (5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
PtRu10 Spring conducts electricity at 3.8 % IACS, worse than 100% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (96/100), better than 85% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PtRu10 Spring takes about 220,000 MJ of energy and emits 13,500 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
PtRu10 Spring's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 53% of precious metal grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PtRu10 Spring
Is PtRu10 easy to machine?
Gummy and rapidly work-hardening — use sharp carbide/PCD tooling, positive rake, high speed with light steady feeds, and collect all swarf for refining.
Can PtRu10 be welded?
Readily resistance-, laser- or micro-TIG welded to contact carriers and Ni/Cu leads; braze with Au- or Pd-bearing fillers, avoid Pb/Sn contamination.
Can PtRu10 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold rolls and draws well from the annealed state but hardens fast — interstage anneal at 900–1100 °C in air or inert gas every 40–60 % reduction.
What surface finishes work on PtRu10?
Takes an excellent mirror polish; no plating or passivation needed, but ultrasonic clean to remove organics that could raise contact resistance.
PtRu10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rusolid-solution hardener | 9.5 – 10.5 | 10 |
| Other PGM + impuritiesIr/Pd/Rh + Fe, Cu, Pb total | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Pttypically 99.95 % purity base | balance | — |
PtRu10 Spring — frequently asked
What is PtRu10 Spring used for?
PtRu10 Spring is typically used for precision relay contacts, slip rings, potentiometer contacts and aerospace switch contacts. In short: hardened platinum contact alloy; 500 °C service capability; available in spring temper.
What is the yield strength of PtRu10 Spring?
PtRu10 Spring has a typical yield strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) — stronger than 101% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is PtRu10 Spring easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 53% of precious metal grades). Gummy and rapidly work-hardening — use sharp carbide/PCD tooling, positive rake, high speed with light steady feeds, and collect all swarf for refining.
Can PtRu10 Spring be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Readily resistance-, laser- or micro-TIG welded to contact carriers and Ni/Cu leads; braze with Au- or Pd-bearing fillers, avoid Pb/Sn contamination.
What surface finishes work on PtRu10 Spring?
Takes an excellent mirror polish; no plating or passivation needed, but ultrasonic clean to remove organics that could raise contact resistance.
Can PtRu10 Spring be formed, bent or molded?
Cold rolls and draws well from the annealed state but hardens fast — interstage anneal at 900–1100 °C in air or inert gas every 40–60 % reduction.
What is the maximum service temperature of PtRu10 Spring?
PtRu10 Spring 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 PtRu10 Annealed and PtRu10 Spring?
Annealed is the default condition — standard supply condition for deep-drawn contact rivets, formed spring blanks and further cold working. Spring: highest-strength temper for fine spring contact wire, probe tips and potentiometer brushes. Yield strength is 250 MPa in Annealed versus 950 MPa in Spring.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Precious Metals) — ASM International (1990)
- Platinum alloys for electrical contacts — Pt-Ru data — Johnson Matthey (2020)
- ASM Alloy Phase Diagrams — Pt-Ru system — ASM International (2016)
- ASTM B685 / B684 — Platinum and platinum alloy wire and strip — ASTM (2018)
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.