AgSnO₂
Silver Tin Oxide Contact Material
A high-performance, environmentally friendly electrical contact material offering superior arc erosion resistance, excellent welding resistance, and stable contact resistance -- the ideal replacement for AgCdO in demanding applications.
RoHS Compliant
Eco-Friendly Material
Since 1996
Proven Quality
≥88%
Silver Content (Ag)
8-12%
SnO₂ Content
>9.5
Density (g/cm³)
RoHS
Certified Compliant
What is AgSnO₂?
Silver Tin Oxide (AgSnO₂) is a composite electrical contact material produced by dispersing tin oxide (SnO₂) particles within a silver (Ag) matrix. It represents the most widely adopted cadmium-free alternative to the traditional AgCdO contact material.
The tin oxide phase acts as a refractory reinforcement that significantly improves arc erosion resistance and anti-welding performance, while the silver matrix ensures high electrical and thermal conductivity. The resulting material delivers a balanced combination of mechanical durability and electrical reliability.
Our company has developed proprietary manufacturing processes -- including powder metallurgy, internal oxidation, and extrusion techniques -- to produce AgSnO₂ materials with uniform microstructure and consistent performance batch after batch.
Material Properties
Comprehensive physical, electrical, and mechanical characteristics of AgSnO₂ contact material.
Electrical Conductivity
≥ 45 MS/m
Ensures low contact resistance and minimal energy loss during operation, critical for high-frequency switching applications.
Vickers Hardness
80-110 HV
Moderate hardness provides excellent wear resistance while maintaining sufficient ductility for forming operations.
Density
9.5-9.9 g/cm³
High theoretical density achieved through advanced sintering and extrusion processes, ensuring structural integrity.
Electrical Resistivity
≤ 2.5 μΩ·cm
Low resistivity maintains efficient current transfer across the contact interface under both normal and overload conditions.
Tensile Strength
≥ 250 MPa
High mechanical strength withstands repeated impact forces during switching operations without deformation or fracture.
Max. Operating Temp.
≤ 200 °C
Stable performance across a wide temperature range, suitable for both ambient and elevated-temperature switching environments.
Standard Grades & Specifications
Multiple AgSnO₂ grades are available to meet diverse application requirements.
| Grade | Ag Content (%) | SnO₂ Content (%) | Density (g/cm³) | Hardness (HV) | Conductivity (MS/m) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AgSnO₂(8) | 92 | 8 | ≥ 9.8 | 80-95 | ≥ 48 | Relays, small switches |
| AgSnO₂(10) | 90 | 10 | ≥ 9.6 | 85-105 | ≥ 46 | Contactors, circuit breakers |
| AgSnO₂(12) | 88 | 12 | ≥ 9.5 | 95-115 | ≥ 45 | High-current contactors, EV charging |
| AgSnO₂In(10) | 88-90 | 10 | ≥ 9.6 | 85-110 | ≥ 46 | Automotive relays, smart meters |
* Custom compositions and dopant additions (In₂O₃, Bi₂O₃, WO₃) are available upon request. All values represent typical ranges; contact our technical team for certified data sheets.
Available Product Configurations
AgSnO₂ material is supplied in multiple forms to suit different contact manufacturing processes.
Rivets
Single-headed, double-headed, and three-component riveted contacts. Precision-formed for direct assembly into relay and contactor housings.
Strips & Tapes
Bimetal and trimetal clad strips for stamping and progressive die operations. Available in custom widths and thicknesses.
Discs & Pads
Round and rectangular contact pads for welding or brazing onto copper or silver-plated substrates in high-current applications.
Wire & Rod
Extruded wire and rod stock for customers who perform in-house contact forming operations. Available in diameters from 1 mm to 20 mm.
Key Advantages
AgSnO₂ outperforms traditional contact materials across critical performance dimensions.
Environmentally Friendly (RoHS Compliant)
Contains no cadmium, lead, or other hazardous substances. Fully compliant with EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and REACH regulations, enabling market access in environmentally regulated regions worldwide.
Superior Arc Erosion Resistance
The dispersed SnO₂ particles create a stable oxide layer during arcing that dramatically reduces material transfer and contact erosion, extending electrical contact service life by up to 30% compared to AgCdO.
Excellent Anti-Welding Performance
High melting point of the SnO₂ reinforcement phase prevents contact welding under short-circuit and overload conditions, ensuring reliable contact separation and circuit protection.
Stable Contact Resistance
Maintains consistent and low contact resistance throughout the product lifecycle, reducing heat generation and improving the energy efficiency of the entire electrical system.
Customizable Dopant Formulations
Addition of dopants such as In₂O₃, Bi₂O₃, or WO₃ allows fine-tuning of hardness, conductivity, and arc behavior to meet specific application requirements without compromising core performance.
Process Versatility
Compatible with powder metallurgy, internal oxidation, and extrusion manufacturing routes. Supports riveting, brazing, welding, and cladding assembly methods for maximum design flexibility.
AgSnO₂ vs. AgCdO
See how AgSnO₂ compares to the legacy cadmium oxide contact material it replaces.
| Performance Parameter | AgSnO₂ (Our Product) | AgCdO (Legacy) |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Compliance | RoHS / REACH Compliant | Contains Cadmium |
| Arc Erosion Resistance | Excellent | Good |
| Anti-Welding Performance | Excellent | Good |
| Contact Resistance Stability | Very Stable | Stable |
| Electrical Conductivity | ≥ 45 MS/m | ≥ 50 MS/m |
| Processability | Good (with optimized process) | Excellent |
| Service Life | Up to 30% longer | Baseline |
| Market Availability | Global -- No Restrictions | Restricted in EU & many markets |
Where AgSnO₂ is Used
Our AgSnO₂ contact materials serve a broad range of industries requiring reliable electrical switching performance.
Home Appliances
Washing machines, air conditioners, refrigerators, microwave ovens, and dishwashers rely on AgSnO₂ contacts in their motor protection relays and thermal switches.
- Thermal overload relays
- Temperature control switches
- Motor protection contactors
Industrial Control
Industrial automation equipment, motor starters, and power distribution panels use AgSnO₂ contacts in AC contactors and circuit breakers for reliable heavy-duty switching.
- AC contactors (IEC Class AC3/AC4)
- Motor starters
- Molded case circuit breakers
Automotive
Electric vehicles and conventional vehicles use AgSnO₂ contacts in high-current relays for battery management, motor control, and safety-critical switching functions.
- EV battery disconnect relays
- Automotive power relays
- Starter motor relays
Smart Meters & Metering
Smart electricity meters require miniaturized, highly reliable contacts with extremely stable resistance. AgSnO₂ provides the precision and longevity demanded by utility-grade metering equipment.
- AMI/AMR smart meters
- Prepayment meter contactors
- Load control switches
EV Charging & Energy Storage
High-power EV charging stations and battery energy storage systems (BESS) demand contacts that can handle large DC currents reliably. AgSnO₂(12) grade is specifically suited for these demanding applications.
- DC fast charging contactors
- BESS disconnect switches
- Solar inverter relays
Power Distribution & Construction
Building automation systems, distribution panels, and power tools incorporate AgSnO₂ contacts in residual current devices, miniature circuit breakers, and safety switches.
- Residual current devices (RCDs)
- Miniature circuit breakers (MCBs)
- Power tool switches
Our Production Process
Three proprietary manufacturing routes ensure optimal microstructure and consistent quality for every application.
Powder Metallurgy (PM)
Silver and tin oxide powders are blended, compacted under high pressure, and sintered at controlled temperatures. This process achieves excellent homogeneity and is ideal for high-volume production of complex shapes.
Internal Oxidation (IO)
AgSn alloy is oxidized at elevated temperature and oxygen pressure, converting tin to SnO₂ in situ within the silver matrix. This produces the finest, most uniformly distributed oxide particles, resulting in superior electrical performance.
Extrusion & Rolling
Sintered billets are extruded and cold-rolled into wire, strip, or rod forms. This process refines the microstructure through mechanical deformation, improving density, hardness, and tensile strength of the final material.
Certified Quality You Can Trust
Every batch of AgSnO₂ material produced at our facility undergoes rigorous incoming material inspection, in-process quality control, and final product testing before shipment. Our quality management system ensures consistent compliance with international standards.
ISO 9001:2015 Certified
Quality management system covering design, development, production, and after-sales service of electrical contact materials.
RoHS & REACH Compliant
All AgSnO₂ products are free of restricted hazardous substances and comply with EU environmental regulations for global market access.
Full Material Test Reports
Certificate of conformance, chemical composition analysis (ICP-OES), density measurement, hardness testing, and conductivity verification provided with every shipment.
28+
Years of Manufacturing Experience
50+
Countries & Regions Served
200+
Active Customer Partnerships
100%
Lot Traceability & Documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
Common technical and commercial questions about AgSnO₂ contact material.
Can AgSnO₂ directly replace AgCdO in existing contact designs?
What is the difference between AgSnO₂ and AgSnO₂In grades?
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
How should AgSnO₂ contacts be stored and handled?
Can you provide custom contact geometries and dimensions?
Ready to Upgrade to AgSnO₂?
Contact our technical sales team to discuss your specific application requirements, request material data sheets, or order evaluation samples. We are committed to providing the most suitable AgSnO₂ solution for your products.
Fast Response
Technical inquiry reply within 24 hours
Sample Available
Evaluation samples dispatched within 5 business days
Technical Support
Dedicated application engineers available globally