Bimetal Silver Contact Rivets

We manufacture bimetal silver contact rivets with a silver or silver-alloy working layer bonded to a copper base. This composite structure keeps the precious-metal material at the actual switching surface while using copper for the shank and supporting section.

Compared with a solid silver or solid silver-alloy rivet of the same overall size, this construction can reduce silver consumption without replacing the functional contact surface.

Depending on the electrical application, we can manufacture the working layer in silver-based materials such as AgNi, AgSnO₂ and other specified silver alloys.

A bimetal contact rivet has two functional parts.

The silver alloy head layer is the working surface that makes and breaks the electrical circuit. Its material and thickness are selected according to the switching load and required contact life.

The copper base forms the main body and shank of the rivet. It provides conductivity and mechanical support for riveting the contact to a copper, brass or other conductive carrier.

During manufacture, the two materials are combined into an integrated contact structure rather than assembled as two loose parts.

This silver/copper combination is why bimetal rivets are also referred to as composite contact rivets or bimetal electrical contacts.

For many electrical devices, only the contact head surface needs the properties of a silver alloy.

Using silver alloy throughout the complete rivet, including the shank that is only used for mounting and current conduction, can consume more precious-metal material than required.

With a composite design, we can place silver alloy mainly in the working area and use copper underneath it.

The actual silver saving is not a fixed percentage. It depends on:

• Contact head diameter
• Head thickness
• Silver layer thickness
• Rivet shank dimensions
• Contact geometry
• Original solid-contact design

If you provide an existing solid contact drawing, we can review whether a bimetal construction is suitable and calculate the silver alloy volume according to the proposed dimensions.

The silver alloy layer should not simply be made as thin as possible.

During switching, the working surface may be affected by electrical arc erosion, mechanical wear and material transfer. The required layer thickness therefore depends on the electrical and mechanical life expected from the contact.

For this reason, we normally confirm the silver layer together with the contact head dimensions and material grade.

For replacement projects, an existing drawing or contact sample can be used as the starting point.

We manufacture composite rivets according to customer drawings.

The main dimensions normally include:

• Head diameter - diameter of the electrical contact surface.
• Head thickness - total thickness of the rivet head.
• Silver layer thickness - depth of the silver or silver-alloy working material.
• Shank diameter - selected according to the mounting hole and riveting process.
• Shank length - determined by the thickness of the carrier and the required riveting allowance.

Head profile, including flat or radius contact surfaces, can also be produced according to the contact design.

Our bimetal silver contact rivets can be used in electrical switching components such as relays, switches, contactors, circuit breakers, thermostats and other low-voltage electrical devices.

The suitable material and dimensions depend on the load condition of the finished device rather than on the device name alone.

For custom production, please send us the contact drawing, silver alloy grade, silver layer thickness, head diameter, shank dimensions and required quantity. We can review the contact structure before production.

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