Contact Wire Materials

Its low electrical resistance and high corrosion resistance prevent surface discoloration and oxide formation — whether it is used as a light-load contact that sits idle for long periods or operates only intermittently, or as plating over silver contacts for wireless applications.

Used as a substitute for platinum in high-sensitivity devices. Its resistance to electrical erosion is lower, but it offers better welding resistance and hardness than silver.

Excellent corrosion resistance, low contact resistance and a long service life make it highly reliable. It is also known as PGS.

Offers excellent corrosion resistance together with excellent mechanical properties.

An alloy containing 62.5% gold, produced in wire or strip form. It withstands impact contact well, has good spring properties and does not discolor at all.

A convenient material that can substitute for platinum under suitable conditions, though its resistance to electrical erosion is slightly lower. It has good arc resistance and excellent resistance to oxidation and sulfidation.

It is completely resistant to the formation of sulfide films. At a silver content of 40% it reaches maximum hardness and wear resistance, and it is used as a substitute for platinum.

Silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal, does not oxidize, and maintains low contact resistance even under low contact force. It cannot be used where the air contains sulfur, which forms a sulfide film on the surface.

AgNi alloy is a contact material that improves the welding resistance and wear resistance of silver while enhancing workability. Because nickel has very limited solubility in silver, it is produced by powder metallurgy, and a nickel content of 5 to 20 wt% is most commonly used.

As the copper content rises, tarnish resistance decreases while hardness and mechanical wear resistance increase. It cannot be used where contact force is high and sliding contact occurs during operation.

AgCdO grades are produced with silver-cadmium oxide as the main constituent. As a contact material it offers excellent welding and wear resistance, stable contact resistance and good electrical and thermal conductivity. It is currently used widely for medium-current contacts.

A material in which SnO2 powder is dispersed in a silver matrix by powder metallurgy. It maintains excellent electrical conductivity while improving arc resistance, welding resistance and erosion resistance.

An oxide-dispersion-strengthened silver alloy made by the full oxidation process. SnO2 is thermally stable by nature and is finely distributed in the silver matrix, giving outstanding arc resistance, welding resistance and erosion resistance. It performs particularly well in relays and switches handling medium DC loads.

A cadmium-free material developed to meet environmental requirements. Produced by internal oxidation of an Ag-Sn alloy with several additional alloying elements, it contains very finely dispersed oxide particles, giving excellent welding resistance and erosion resistance. It is used for both AC and DC loads.

A cadmium-free material with no environmental concerns, produced by internal oxidation of an Ag-Zn alloy. Finely dispersed oxide particles improve welding and erosion resistance, making it an alternative to AgCdO. It is used mainly in AC switches and magnetic switches.

Used as a substitute for the Ag-Cu series. Its tarnish resistance is better than the Ag-Cu series, but its contact resistance is inferior.

It is self-lubricating and is used as a sliding contact under relatively high contact pressure.