ASTM B541-24

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Designation: B541 − 01 (Reapproved 2018) B541 − 24
Standard Specification for
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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
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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.
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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.
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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 accordan
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