ASTM B684/B684M-16

Standard Specification for Platinum-Iridium Electrical Contact Materials

ABSTRACT
This specification covers two platinum-iridium alloys in the form of rod, wire, strip, and sheet material for electrical contacts. Raw materials shall be of such quality and purity that the finished product (produced by cold working, annealing, turning, grinding, or pickling as required) will have the properties and characteristics prescribed in this specification. The alloys shall meet the requirements of chemical composition specified for platinum, iridium, total impurities, total platinum group (palladium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, and gold), total other impurities (including lead, antimony, bismuth, tin, arsenic, cadmium, zinc, and iron) and other elements. Ultimate tensile strength, elongation, microhardness (Knoop or Vickers), hardness (Rockwell or Rockwell Superficial), or a combination of these mechanical properties may be specified as criterion for temper designation. Annealed and work hardened wire and strip shall conform to the mechanical requirements prescribed for ultimate tensile strength, elongation, and microhardness. Knoop hardness test, tension test, and chemical analysis using spectrochemical or wet analysis method shall be performed.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers an 85 % platinum—15 % iridium alloy, and a 90 % platinum—10 % iridium alloy, in the form of rod, wire, strip, and sheet material for electrical contacts.  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.3 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 and health practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2016
• ICS: 77.120.99 - Other non-ferrous metals and their alloys
• Technical Committee: B02 - Nonferrous Metals and Alloys
• Drafting Committee: B02.05 - Precious Metals and Electrical Contact Materials and Test Methods

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:B684/B684M −16
Standard Specification for
1
Platinum-Iridium Electrical Contact Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B684/B684M; 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* 3. Terminology
1.1 This specification covers an 85 % platinum—15 % 3.1 For definitions of terms related to electrical contact
iridium alloy, and a 90 % platinum—10 % iridium alloy, in the materials, refer to Terminology B542.
form of rod, wire, strip, and sheet material for electrical
4. General Requirements
contacts.
4.1 The requirements of Specification B476 shall apply to
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
all materials produced to this specification.
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
4.2 In addition, when a section with a title identical to that
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining referenced in 4.1 appears in this specification, it contains
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
additional requirements which supplement those appearing in
with the standard. Specification B476.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5. Ordering Information
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.1 Include the following information when placing orders
responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar
for product under this specification, as applicable:
with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate
5.1.1 ASTM designation and year of issue,
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provided
5.1.2 Grade of material (see Table 1),
by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety and health
5.1.3 Temper (annealed or work hardened, see Table 2 and
practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limi-
Table 3),
tations prior to use.
5.1.4 Form (rod, wire, sheet, or strip),
5.1.5 Dimensions and tolerances,
2. Referenced Documents
2 5.1.6 Quantity, total weight or total length or number of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pieces of each size,
B277 Test Method for Hardness of Electrical Contact Mate-
5.1.7 Heat identification or traceability details, if required,
rials
5.1.8 Certification and/or Test Report, if required.
B476 Specification for General Requirements for Wrought
Precious Metal Electrical Contact Materials
6. Materials and Manufacture
B542 Terminology Relating to Electrical Contacts and Their
6.1 Raw materials shall be of such quality and purity that
Use
the finished product will have the properties and characteristics
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma-
prescribed in this specification.
terials
E384 Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Mate- 6.2 The material shall be finished by such operations (cold
rials working, annealing, turning, grinding, or pickling) as are
required to produce the prescribed properties.
1
7. Chemical Composition
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on
Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
7.1 Material produced under the specification shall meet the
B02.05 on Precious Metals and Electrical Contact Materials.
requirements of chemical composition prescribed in Table 1.
Current edition approved June 1, 2016. Published June 2016. Originally
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as B684 – 97 (2012).
7.2 By agreement between purchaser and manufacturer,
DOI: 10.1520/B0684_B0684M-16.
2
analysis may be required and limits established for elements or
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
compounds not specified in the table of chemical composition.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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B684/B684M−16
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
85 Pt/15 Ir 90 Pt/10 Ir
Element
Weight % Weight %
Pt balance balance
Ir 14.50-15.50 9.50-10.50
Total Impurities 0.2 max. 0.2 max.
Total Platinum Group (Pd, Rh, Os, Ru), Au 0.1 max. 0.1 max.
Total Other Impurities (including the 0.1 max. 0.1 max.
elements below)
Pb, Sb, Bi, Sn, As, Cd, Zn 0.01 max each 0.01 max each
Fe 0.015 max each 0.0
...

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: B684 − 97 (Reapproved 2012) B684/B684M − 16
Standard Specification for
1
Platinum-Iridium Electrical Contact Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B684;B684/B684M; 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 Scope*
1.1 This specification covers an 85 % platinum—15 % iridium alloy, and a 90 % platinum—10 % iridium alloy, in the form of
rod, wire, strip, and sheet material for electrical contacts.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values given in
parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.3 The original specification, B684 - 81, covered the 85 % platinum 15 % iridium alloy. The 1997 revision of this specification
added the 90 % platinum 10 % iridium alloy.
1.3 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 Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS)(SDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety and health practices,
and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B277 Test Method for Hardness of Electrical Contact Materials
B476 Specification for General Requirements for Wrought Precious Metal Electrical Contact Materials
B542 Terminology Relating to Electrical Contacts and Their Use
E8E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
E384 Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms related to electrical contact materials, refer to Terminology B542.
4. General Requirements
4.1 The requirements of Specification B476 shall apply to all materials produced to this specification.
4.2 In addition, when a section with a title identical to that referenced in 4.1 appears in this specification, it contains additional
requirements which supplement those appearing in Specification B476.
5. Ordering Information
5.1 Include the following information when placing orders for product under this specification, as applicable:
5.1.1 ASTM designation and year of issue,
5.1.2 Grade of material (see Table 1),
5.1.3 Temper (annealed or work hardened, see Table 2 and Table 3),
1
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.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2012June 1, 2016. Published November 2012June 2016. Originally approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 20082012 as
B684 – 97 (2008).(2012). DOI: 10.1520/B0684-97R12.10.1520/B0684_B0684M-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B684/B684M − 16
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
Element 85 Pt/15 Ir 90 Pt/10 Ir
Weight % Weight %
Weight % Weight %
Pt balance balance
Ir 14.50-15.50 9.50-10.50
Total Impurities 0.2 max. 0.2 max.
Total Platinum Group (Pd, Rh, Os, Ru), Au 0.1 max. 0.1 max.
Total Other Impurities (including the 0.1 max. 0.1 max.
elements below)
Pb, Sb, Bi, Sn, As, Cd, Zn 0.01 max each 0.01 max each
Fe 0.015 max each 0.015 max each
Other elements 0.02 max each 0.02 max each
5.1.4 Form (rod, wire, sheet, or strip),
5.1.5 Dimensions and tolerances,
5.1.6 Quantity, total weight or total length or number of pieces of each size,
5.1.7 Heat identification or trace
...