Application
(Current Load)

Major
Requirements for
Materials

Major
Recommendation

Telecommunication/
Control Signal,
Relay

Small Current

(Less than 2A)

- Stable Contact resistance

- No Adhesion

+1^st layer-Au alloy
+1^st/2^nd layer-Ag alloy
+1^st/2^nd layer-Pd alloy

Contact Type

+

+ Wire for staking contact

Automotive Relay

Medium Current

(2A - 20A)

- No Welding

- Lower erosion

- Ecological

+Ag-Cd Free Oxidized alloy

+AgCdO alloy

+Pd alloy

Contact Type

+

+

+ Wire for staking contact

Power Relay

Medium Current

(2A - 20A)

- No Welding

- Suppression of rising
temperature

- Ecological

+Ag-Cd Free Oxidized alloy

+AgCdO alloy

+Pd alloy

Contact Type

+

+

+ Wire for staking contact

Material

Alloy Composition
(%)

Specific Gravity

Hardness
(Hv)

Electrical Conductivity
(%)

Ag

10.5

25.0

106.0

Features

High electric and thermal conductivity, low sulfurization resistance, typical contact material.

Ag-Ni0.03%

10.5

40.0

106.0

Ag-Ni10%

10.3

65.0

91.0

Ag-Ni15%

10.3

73.0

88.0

Ag-Ni20%

10.2

80.0

83.0

Features

Annealing material excepting Ag-0.03%NI. Ag-0.03%Ni is used as a countermeasure for a change on standing of Ag. Low contact resistance. Good abrasion resistance, but less welding resistance than Ag-CdO.

Ag-Cu10%

10.3

62.0

86.0

Ag-Cu20%

10.2

85.0

82.0

Ag-Cu40%

9.8

95.0

82.0

10.1

115.0

68.0

Features

Good electric and thermal conductivity, large mechanical strength and low cost. Prone to change chemically, lacks in resistance to oxidation and corrosion. Suitable for make and break contacts and sliding contacts with large contact force.