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.
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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
1
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
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,
1
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.
2
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
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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 Co
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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: B541 − 01 (Reapproved 2018) B541 − 24
Standard Specification for
1
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
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.
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 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.
2
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
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
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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