Silver Cadmium Oxide (AgCdO) contact chips are manufactured through powder metallurgy and internal oxidation processes, combining refined silver with uniformly dispersed cadmium oxide particles. Engineered for medium-to-heavy load AC/DC switching applications, these contact components deliver arc erosion resistance, anti-welding properties under current surges, and stable contact resistance across cyclical operations.
Material Formulations
AgCdO grades are tailored to distinct breaking capacity and switching requirements:
AgCdO 90/10 (10% CdO): Higher thermal and electrical conductivity with lower contact resistance; suitable for high-frequency switching operations.
AgCdO 88/12 (12% CdO): Balanced electrical conductivity and arc-quenching capability for general relays and contactors.
AgCdO 85/15 (15% CdO): Higher resistance to contact welding and electrical erosion under extreme short-circuit fault conditions.
Technical Specifications & Performance
|
Parameter |
Specification Range |
Test / Standard Method |
|
Silver Content Accuracy |
Ag balance ±0.5 wt% |
Chemical titration & XRF |
|
CdO Particle Size |
0.5 µm – 2.5 µm uniform dispersion |
Optical Metallography |
|
Material Density |
9.8 – 10.2 g/cm³ (Grade dependent) |
Archimedes method |
|
Electrical Conductivity |
35 – 48 MS/m (60% – 80% IACS) |
Eddy current testing |
|
Hardness Range |
80 – 130 HV |
Vickers hardness tester |
|
Dimensional Tolerances |
Length/Width: ±0.05 mm, Thickness: ±0.02 mm |
Optical projector / Micrometer |
|
Interface Shear Strength |
≥180 MPa (Silver-Copper backing) |
Tensile shear test |
|
Interrupting Capacity |
Up to 3,000 A rating |
Circuit breaker endurance test |
Material Characteristics
Arc Energy Dissipation: Cadmium oxide sublimates under high arcing temperatures, absorbing arc energy without leaving conductive metallic residue.
Weld Resistance: Helps prevent contact fusion during initial high-current surges and motor locked-rotor conditions.
Conductivity Retention: Maintains stable contact resistance across repetitive load cycles under specified operating limits.
Controlled Erosion: Minimizes asymmetric material transfer under DC voltage configurations.
Contact Chip Geometries
Flat Rectangular & Square: Thickness 0.4 mm to 3.5 mm; width/length 2.0 mm to 25.0 mm.
Domed & Radiused: Spherical radii R3.0 mm to R15.0 mm; center thickness tolerance within ±0.03 mm.
Profiled & Dished: Custom cross-sections featuring perimeter relief for controlled flux flow.
Cladding & Backing Configurations
Single-Layer AgCdO: Designed for direct resistance welding onto contact support arms.
Bi-Metal (AgCdO / Fine Ag): 10% to 30% backing layer thickness to improve weldability and joint integrity.
Tri-Metal (AgCdO / Fine Ag / Cu): Multi-layer configuration optimized for high-speed automated assembly.
Pre-Applied Brazing Alloys: Integrated BAg-7 or BAg-24 backing layers (0.05 mm – 0.15 mm ±0.01 mm thickness).
Surface Finishes: Cross-hatched knurling, dimpled backing, or smooth cold-rolled options.
Applications
Industrial Contactors: Primary contact tips for AC-3 and AC-4 switching duties.
Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCB): Arcing and main contacts for 100 A to 630 A frame sizes.
Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB): Short-circuit interrupting tips in protection devices.
Heavy-Duty Relays: Automotive starter relays and industrial power control modules.
Quality Assurance & Traceability
Microstructure Verification: Optical microscopy verifies uniform CdO particle distribution and zero macro-porosity.
XRF Spectrometry: Verifies silver purity and backing layer thickness per batch.
Ultrasonic Flaw Detection: Scans bi-metal and tri-metal interfaces for bonding voids or delamination.
Mechanical Testing: Shear testing ensures structural integrity (≥180 MPa) under repetitive mechanical impacts.
Documentation: Certificate of Analysis (CoA) provided with every shipment detailing composition and density measurements.
Packaging & Logistics
Vacuum Sealed Packaging: Nitrogen-purged PE bags with desiccants (1,000 to 10,000 pieces per bag).
Tape & Reel: Anti-static carrier tape matching EIA-481 standards for pick-and-place automation.
Export Crates: Reinforced corrugated cartons on ISPM-15 compliant heat-treated pallets.
Frequently Asked Questions
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