ASTM B663/B663M-16

Standard Specification for Silver-Tungsten Carbide Electrical Contact Material

ABSTRACT
This specification covers electrical contact components made from silver-tungsten carbide by powder metallurgical procedures. This specification covers compositions within the silver-tungsten carbide system. The material shall conform to composition limits. Chemical analysis shall be performed to deteremine material conformance to specified composition requirements. The contact components shall agree on qualification tests for determination of physical properties. The tests shall be performed on production parts wherever practical or applicable. The test shall be determined after consideration of the function of the part.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers electrical contact components made from silver-tungsten carbide materials by powder metallurgical processes.  
1.2 This specification covers compositions within the silver-tungsten carbide system normally specified by users of contacts.
Note 1: Table X1.1 and Table X1.2 in Appendix X1 provide a list of typical compositions used for various applications.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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: 30-Apr-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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: B663/B663M −16
Standard Specification for
1
Silver-Tungsten Carbide Electrical Contact Material
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B663/B663M; 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. Significance and Use
3.1 Proprietary methods for the manufacture of these mate-
1.1 This specification covers electrical contact components
rials vary significantly among suppliers, and these methods
made from silver-tungsten carbide materials by powder metal-
influence such properties as arc erosion, contact resistance, and
lurgical processes.
the tendency to weld in service. Since the performance of
1.2 Thisspecificationcoverscompositionswithinthesilver-
contacts in a device depends on numerous factors outside the
tungsten carbide system normally specified by users of con-
contact itself (opening speed, closing speed, contact pressure,
tacts.
contact bounce, environmental variations, assembly technique
NOTE 1—Table X1.1 and Table X1.2 in Appendix X1 provide a list of
and variations, etc.), this specification cannot ensure perfor-
typical compositions used for various applications.
mance control in the application.As part of the qualification on
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
initial samples, it is recommended that the user functionally
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
and electrically test the materials for all devices applicable to
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
the material’s use. This specification will provide a means for
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
the contact manufacturer and contact user to reach agreement
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
on the details of the material to be supplied for a specific use,
with the standard.
and reasonable assurance that future lots will be similar in
properties and microstructure to the initial test or sample
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
contacts supplied.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar
4. Ordering Information
with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate
4.1 Orders for this material under this specification shall
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provided
include the following information:
by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety and health
4.1.1 Dimensions (see Section 10),
practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limi-
4.1.2 Chemicalcomposition(seeTableX1.1andTableX1.2
tations prior to use.
in Appendix X1 as a guideline),
4.1.3 Physicalproperties(seeSection6andAppendixX1as
2. Referenced Documents
a guideline),
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1.4 Certification (see Section 13), and
B328 Test Method for Density, Oil Content, and Intercon-
4.1.5 Other features as agreed upon between the manufac-
nected Porosity of Sintered Metal Structural Parts and
turer and purchaser.
3
Oil-Impregnated Bearings (Withdrawn 2009)
5. Chemical Composition
5.1 The material shall conform to composition limits as
agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on
Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
5.2 The chemical analysis shall be made in accordance with
B02.05 on Precious Metals and Electrical Contact Materials.
the methods prescribed in the newest edition of Volume 01.02
Current edition approved May 1, 2016. Published May 2016. Originally
of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards or by any other
approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as B663 – 94 (2012).
approved method agreed upon between the manufacturer and
DOI: 10.1520/B0663/B0663M-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
the purchaser.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
6. Physical Properties
the ASTM website.
3
6.1 The manufacturer and the purchaser shall agree on
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. qualification tests for determination of physical properties.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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B663/B663M − 16
6.2 The tests shall be perfor
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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: B663 − 94 (Reapproved 2012) B663/B663M − 16
Standard Specification for
1
Silver-Tungsten Carbide Electrical Contact Material
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B663;B663/B663M; 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 electrical contact components made from silver-tungsten carbide materials by powder metallur-
gical procedures.processes.
1.2 This specification covers compositions within the silver-tungsten carbide system normally specified by users of contacts.
NOTE 1—Table X1.1 and Table X1.2 in Appendix X1 provide a list of typical compositions used for various applications.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are
included in this 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.
1.4 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:
B328 Test Method for Density, Oil Content, and Interconnected Porosity of Sintered Metal Structural Parts and Oil-Impregnated
3
Bearings (Withdrawn 2009)
3. Significance and Use
3.1 Proprietary methods for the manufacture of these materials vary significantly among suppliers, and these methods influence
such properties as arc erosion, contact resistance, and the tendency to weld in service. Since the performance of contacts in a device
depends on numerous factors outside the contact itself (opening speed, closing speed, contact pressure, contact bounce,
environmental variations, assembly technique and variations, etc.), this specification cannot ensure performance control in the
application. As part of the qualification on initial samples, it is recommended that the user functionally and electrically test the
materials for all devices applicable to the material’s use. This specification will provide a means for the contact manufacturer and
contact user to reach agreement on the details of the material to be supplied for a specific use, and reasonable assurance that future
lots will be similar in properties and microstructure to the initial test or sample contacts supplied.
4. Ordering Information
4.1 Orders for this material under this specification shall include the following information:
4.1.1 Dimensions (see Section 10),
4.1.2 Chemical composition (see tablesTable X1.1 and Table X1.2 in theAppendix X1 appendix as a possible guideline),
4.1.3 Physical properties (see Section 6 and appendixAppendix X1 as a guideline),
4.1.4 Certification (see Section 13), and
4.1.5 Other features as agreed upon between the manufacturer and purchaser.
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 May 1, 2012May 1, 2016. Published May 2012May 2016. Originally approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 20062012 as B663 – 94
(2006).(2012). DOI: 10.1520/B0663-94R12.10.1520/B0663/B0663M-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.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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B663/B663M − 16
5. Chemical Composition
5.1 The material shall conf
...