ASTM B541-24
(Specification)Standard Specification for Gold Electrical Contact Alloy
Standard Specification for Gold Electrical Contact Alloy
ABSTRACT
This specification covers a gold-rich, age-hardenable alloy in rod, wire, and strip form applicable to electrical contacts. The material shall be finished by cold working, annealing, turning, grinding, and age hardening. The materials shall conform to the specified chemical composition requirements. Tensile strength, elongation, and hardness shall be determined by tension and hardness tests. Chemical analysis shall be done by spectrochemical or wet analysis methods.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a gold-rich, age-hardenable alloy in rod, wire, and strip form applicable to electrical contacts.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 The following precautionary statement pertains to the test method portion only, Section 8, of this specification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Mar-2024
- Technical Committee
- B02 - Nonferrous Metals and Alloys
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2024
Overview
ASTM B541-24: Standard Specification for Gold Electrical Contact Alloy defines requirements for gold-rich, age-hardenable alloys supplied in rod, wire, and strip forms, specifically intended for use in electrical contacts. Developed by ASTM International, this standard outlines essential procedures for manufacturing, finishing, and testing to ensure material purity, mechanical strength, and consistent performance in electrical applications. The alloy features high gold content alongside other elements such as platinum, silver, copper, and zinc, providing a balance of conductivity, durability, and low contact resistance essential for reliable non-arcing and low energy contacts.
Key Topics
- Material Scope: The standard covers gold-rich alloys in specific product forms suitable for electrical contacts, including rod, wire, and strip.
- Manufacturing and Finishing: The alloy must be produced using high-purity raw materials and finished by a combination of cold working, annealing, turning, grinding, and age hardening to achieve specified properties.
- Chemical Composition Requirements: Precise ranges are established for gold, platinum, silver, copper, and zinc content. Total base metal and platinum group metal impurities are strictly limited to enhance electrical conductivity.
- Mechanical Properties: Properties such as tensile strength, elongation, and hardness (measured by Knoop or Vickers methods) are specified for different forms and conditions (annealed, stress-relieved, age-hardened).
- Testing and Inspection: Requirements include tension and hardness testing, chemical analysis, and dimensional inspections to verify compliance. Chemical analysis can be performed via spectrochemical or wet methods.
- Safety and Compliance: Users are responsible for adhering to safety and regulatory requirements, including reviewing relevant Safety Data Sheets and proper handling procedures.
Applications
The ASTM B541-24 gold electrical contact alloy is designed for high-performance electrical contact applications where both superior conductivity and longevity are required. Typical use cases include:
- Connectors and Switches: Precision gold contacts in electronic connectors and switches for aerospace, telecommunications, and computer systems, where stable low electrical resistance is essential.
- Relay and Circuit Breaker Components: Components in relays, circuit breakers, and control systems requiring frequent actuation and minimal wear.
- Measurement and Instrumentation Systems: Sensitive, low-noise signal transmission contexts, such as medical devices, scientific instruments, and metrology equipment.
- Harsh or Corrosive Environments: Applications demanding high corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and environmental stability, such as marine electronics and military hardware.
- Non-arcing, Low-energy Contacts: Environments or devices where reliable no-spark switching is critical for safety and performance.
By specifying stringent compositional and mechanical standards, ASTM B541-24 assures manufacturers and end-users of reproducible quality, enhancing reliability and longevity in critical electrical systems.
Related Standards
- ASTM B476 - General requirements for wrought precious metal electrical contact materials.
- ASTM B542 - Terminology for electrical contacts and their use.
- ASTM B899 - Terminology for non-ferrous metals and alloys.
- ASTM E8/E8M - Methods for tension testing of metallic materials.
- ASTM E384 - Microindentation hardness test methods.
ASTM B541-24 supports alignment with internationally recognized principles, promoting global consistency in the manufacture and application of gold electrical contact alloys. When selecting or specifying materials for electrical contacts, referencing ASTM B541-24 ensures compliance with rigorous industry standards, ultimately supporting reliability and performance in demanding electronic environments.
Buy Documents
ASTM B541-24 - Standard Specification for Gold Electrical Contact Alloy
REDLINE ASTM B541-24 - Standard Specification for Gold Electrical Contact Alloy
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
Element Materials Technology
Materials testing and product certification.
Inštitut za kovinske materiale in tehnologije
Institute of Metals and Technology. Materials testing, metallurgical analysis, NDT.
Sponsored listings
Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM B541-24 is a technical specification published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Specification for Gold Electrical Contact Alloy". This standard covers: ABSTRACT This specification covers a gold-rich, age-hardenable alloy in rod, wire, and strip form applicable to electrical contacts. The material shall be finished by cold working, annealing, turning, grinding, and age hardening. The materials shall conform to the specified chemical composition requirements. Tensile strength, elongation, and hardness shall be determined by tension and hardness tests. Chemical analysis shall be done by spectrochemical or wet analysis methods. SCOPE 1.1 This specification covers a gold-rich, age-hardenable alloy in rod, wire, and strip form applicable to electrical contacts. 1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. 1.3 The following precautionary statement pertains to the test method portion only, Section 8, of this specification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ABSTRACT This specification covers a gold-rich, age-hardenable alloy in rod, wire, and strip form applicable to electrical contacts. The material shall be finished by cold working, annealing, turning, grinding, and age hardening. The materials shall conform to the specified chemical composition requirements. Tensile strength, elongation, and hardness shall be determined by tension and hardness tests. Chemical analysis shall be done by spectrochemical or wet analysis methods. SCOPE 1.1 This specification covers a gold-rich, age-hardenable alloy in rod, wire, and strip form applicable to electrical contacts. 1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. 1.3 The following precautionary statement pertains to the test method portion only, Section 8, of this specification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM B541-24 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 77.120.99 - Other non-ferrous metals and their alloys. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM B541-24 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM B541-01(2018). Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM B541-24 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: B541 − 24
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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma-
terials
1.1 This specification covers a gold-rich, age-hardenable
E384 Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Mate-
alloy in rod, wire, and strip form applicable to electrical
rials
contacts.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3. Terminology
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.1 Definitions:
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3.1.1 For definitions of terms pertaining to this standard,
and are not considered standard.
reference shall be made to Terminology B542 and B899.
1.3 The following precautionary statement pertains to the
test method portion only, Section 8, of this specification. This
4. Materials and Manufacture
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
4.1 Raw materials shall be of such quality and purity that
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
the finished product will have the properties and characteristics
of this standard to become familiar with all hazards including
prescribed in this specification.
those identified in the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for
this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to 4.2 The material shall be finished by such operations (cold
establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental
working, annealing, turning, grinding, age hardening, etc.) as
practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limi- are required to produce the prescribed properties.
tations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- 5. Chemical Composition
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
5.1 Material produced under this specification shall meet the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
requirements of Table 1 for chemical composition.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
6. Condition
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
6.1 This specification covers the conditions and forms listed
2. Referenced Documents
in Table 2.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
7. Mechanical Properties
B476 Specification for General Requirements for Wrought
Precious Metal Electrical Contact Materials
7.1 Mechanical properties shall conform to Table 3, Table 4,
B542 Terminology Relating to Electrical Contacts and Their
Table 5, and Table 6 as appropriate.
Use
7.2 The contract or order may specify ultimate tensile
B899 Terminology Relating to Non-ferrous Metals and Al-
strength, elongation, microhardness (Knoop or Vickers), or a
loys
combination of these mechanical properties as temper crite-
rion. If the contract or order does not specify a temper criterion,
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on
then the criterion for temper designation will be ultimate
Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
tensile strength and elongation.
B02.05 on Precious Metals and Electrical Contact Materials and Test Methods.
Current edition approved April 1, 2024. Published April 2024. Originally
7.3 Mechanical properties of flattened wire, less than 0.012
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as B541 – 01 (2018).
in. (0.305 mm) thick shall conform to Table 5.
DOI: 10.1520/B0541-24.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
8. Test Methods
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 8.1 Test methods are in accordance with Specification B476.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B541 − 24
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
Composition, Weight %
Element
Nominal Range
Gold 71.5 70.5–72.5
Platinum 8.5 8.0–9.0
Silver 4.5 4.0–5.0
Copper 14.5 14.0–15.0
Zinc 1.0 0.8–1.2
Cadmium . 0.01 max
Total base metal impurities . 0.2 max
Total platinum group metal impurities . 0.2 max
TABLE 2 Conditions and Forms
Form
Process Symbol
Wire Strip Rod
Annealed A X X X
Stress relieved S-R X X
Age hardened from solution HT-A X X X
annealed condition
Age hardened from solution annealed HT-CW X X X
and cold-worked condition
A
TABLE 3 Mechanical Properties of Wire (0.004 in. to 0.020 in. (0.101 mm to 0.508 mm) diameter)
Condition
Property
A S-R HT-A HT-CW
Tensile strength, ksi 85–110 130–170 130–165 150–210
Tensile strength, MPa 590–760 900–1170 900–1140 1030–1450
Elongation, % in 2 in. [51 mm] 20 min 5–12 7–14 2–10
B
Hardness, Knoop, HK 200–240 270–340 300–350 325–400
A
See 7.2.
B
See 8.3.
A
TABLE 4
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: B541 − 01 (Reapproved 2018) B541 − 24
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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers a gold-rich, age-hardenable alloy in rod, wire, and strip form applicable to electrical contacts.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 The following precautionary statement pertains to the test method portion only, Section 78, of this specification. This
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
of this standard to become familiar with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this
product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices, and
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B476 Specification for General Requirements for Wrought Precious Metal Electrical Contact Materials
B542 Terminology Relating to Electrical Contacts and Their Use
B899 Terminology Relating to Non-ferrous Metals and Alloys
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
E384 Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms pertaining to this standard, reference shall be made to Terminology B542 and B899.
4. Materials and Manufacture
4.1 Raw materials shall be of such quality and purity that the finished product will have the properties and characteristics
prescribed in this specification.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B02.05 on
Precious Metals and Electrical Contact Materials and Test Methods.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018April 1, 2024. Published November 2018April 2024. Originally approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 20122018 as
B541 – 01 (2012).(2018). DOI: 10.1520/B0541-01R18.10.1520/B0541-24.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B541 − 24
4.2 The material shall be finished by such operations (cold working, annealing, turning, grinding, age hardening, etc.) as are
required to produce the prescribed properties.
5. Chemical Composition
5.1 Material produced under this specification shall meet the requirements of Table 1 for chemical composition.
6. Condition
6.1 This specification covers the conditions and forms listed in Table 2.
7. Mechanical Properties
7.1 Mechanical properties shall conform to Table 3, Table 4and, Table 45 as, and Table 6 as appropriate.
7.2 The contract or order may specify ultimate tensile strength, elongation, microhardness (Knoop or Vickers), hardness (Rockwell
or Rockwell Superficial), or or a combination of these mechanical properties as temper criterion. If the contract or order does not
specify a temper criterion, then the criterion for temper designation will be ultimate tensile strength and elongation.
7.3 Mechanical properties of flattened wire, less than 0.012 in. (0.30(0.305 mm) thick shall conform to 6.1 (Table 5).
8. Test Methods
8.1 Test methods are in accordance with Specification B476.
8.2 All tension tests are in accordance with Test Methods E8/E8M and tensile specimens are full cross-section size when practical.
8.3 Hardness is in accordance with Test Method E384. Test material 0.005 in. (0.13 mm) in thickness (diameter) and larger using
a 100-gf indenter load. Test material less than 0.005 in. in thickness (diameter) using a 50-gf indenter load. Make a minimum of
five hardness indentions on each specimen. Make all indentions so that the long axis of the Knoop indenter is parallel to the rolling
or drawing direction of the material. In the case Vickers hardness is required, a mutually agreeable hardness range should be
determined by the producer and the user. The same load requirements as Knoop microhardness may apply. A nominal conversion
from Knoop (HK) to Vickers (HV) microhardness may be considered as HV = HK – 10.
8.4 Perform chemical analysis by spectrochemical or wet analysis methods.
8.5 Conduct all tests at room temperature (65 to 85°F) (18 to 29°C).(65 °F to 85 °F) (18 °C to 29 °C).
9. General Requirements
9.1 Specification B476 shall apply to all materials produced to this specification.
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
Composition, Weight %
Element
Nominal Range
Gold 71.5 70.5–72.5
Platinum 8.5 8.0–9.0
Silver 4.5 4.0–5.0
Copper 14.5 13.5–15.5
Copper 14.5 14.0–15.0
Zinc 1.0 0.7–1.3
Zinc 1.0 0.8–1.2
Cadmium . 0.01 max
Total base metal impurities . 0.2 max
Total platinum group metal
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...