ASTM B541-01(2006)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: B541 – 01 (Reapproved 2006)
Standard Specification for
Gold Electrical Contact Alloy
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B541; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 4. Chemical Composition
4.1 Materialproducedunderthisspecificationshallmeetthe
1.1 This specification covers a gold-rich, age-hardenable
alloy in rod, wire, and strip form applicable to electrical requirements of Table 1 for chemical composition.
contacts.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
Element Composition, Weight %
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard. Nominal Range
1.3 The following precautionary statement pertains to the
Gold 71.5 70.5–72.5
Platinum 8.5 8.0–9.0
test method portion only, Section 7, of this specification. This
Silver 4.5 4.0–5.0
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
Copper 14.5 13.5–15.5
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
Zinc 1.0 0.7–1.3
Total base metal impurities . 0.2 max
of this standard to become familiar with all hazards including
Total platinum group metal impurities . 0.2 max
those identified in the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufac-
turer, to establish appropriate safety and health practices, and
5. Condition
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
5.1 This specification covers the conditions and forms listed
use.
in Table 2.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
TABLE 2 Conditions and Forms
B476 Specification for General Requirements for Wrought
Precious Metal Electrical Contact Materials
Process Form
Symbol
E8 Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
Wire Strip Rod
E384 Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Mate-
Annealed A X X X
rials
Stress relieved S-R X X
Age hardened from solution HT-A XXX
annealed condition
3. Materials and Manufacture
Age hardened from solution annealed HT-CW XXX
3.1 Raw materials shall be of such quality and purity that
and cold-worked condition
the finished product will have the properties and characteristics
prescribed in this specification.
3.2 The material shall be finished by such operations (cold
6. Mechanical Properties
working, annealing, turning, grinding, age hardening, etc.) as
6.1 Mechanical properties shall conform to Table 3 and
are required to produce the prescribed properties.
Table 4 as appropriate.
6.2 The contract or order may specify ultimate tensile
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on
strength, elongation, microhardness (Knoop or Vickers), hard-
Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
ness (Rockwell or Rockwell Superficial), or a combination of
B02.05 on Precious Metals and Electrical Contact Materials.
these mechanical properties as temper criterion. If the contract
Current edition approved June 1, 2006. Published June 2006. Originally
or order does not specify a temper criterion, then the criterion
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as B541 – 01. DOI:
10.1520/B0541-01R06.
for temper designation will be ultimate tensile strength and
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
elongation.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.3 Mechanical properties of flattened wire, less than 0.012
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. in. (0.30 mm) thick shall conform to 6.1 (Table 5).
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B541 – 01 (2006)
A
TABLE 3 Mechanical Properties of Wire (0.004 to 0.020-in. (0.12 to 0.5-mm) diameter)
Property Condition
A S-R HT-A HT-CW
Tensile strength, ksi 85–110 130–170 130–165 150–200
Tensile strength, MPa 590–760 900–1170 900–1140 1030–1380
Elongation, % in 5 in. or 125 mm 20 min 5–15 7–14 2–10
B
Hardness, Knoop, HK 180–240 270–340 280–350 310–380
B
Hardness, Vicker
...