How does AgSnO₂ Material Extend Magnetic Latching Relay’s Life?

Silver Tin Oxide (AgSnO₂): The Ideal Material for Electrical Contacts

Traditional electrical contact materials often struggle to withstand high temperatures and mechanical wear. As a result, they are prone to arcing and burnout during the switching process. Silver tin oxide (AgSnO₂) is very resistant to arcing and soldering. This makes it great for the frequent on-off operations of relays.

Two types of AgSnO₂ materials were made using the ‘pre-oxidation method.’ One is a regular silver tin oxide material. The other has extra anti-burning elements added.

A series of tests were carried out to compare the two materials in terms of hardness, tensile strength, and resistivity. Additionally, their durability under high-load conditions was further analyzed.

Performance Comparison of the Two Materials

1.Hardness and tensile strength: After testing, the hardness of the improved material has been increased by about 10HV and the tensile strength by about 15MPa compared to the traditional material. These improvements make the material better suited to withstand current surges in high-current environments. As a result, the likelihood of bonding issues is significantly reduced.

2.Elongation and resistivity: The improved material has a slightly higher resistivity although the elongation is lower. However, the higher hardness and tensile strength make up for these shortcomings, resulting in better performance in practical applications.

3.Microstructure analysis: In the improved material, the tin oxide particles are smaller in size and more evenly distributed. This structure helps the material resist arcing and soldering. This makes it less likely to burn out during use.

Categories	Tensile Strength MPa	Electrical Resistivity μΩ.cm	Density g/cm3	Hardness HV0.3
Traditional Material	300	2.2	9.77	85.6	86.7	86.2
Improved Material	315	2.24	9.77	95.2	98.4	97.3

Traditional Material	Improved Material

Test Data and Usage Effects

In tests, the electric life of the new material is much better. The new material lasts up to 110,000 cycles. This is twice as long as the old material.

The improved material lasts for an average of 10,000 uses in the relay test. In contrast, the traditional material lasts only about 3,000 uses.

Further analysis showed that the improved material worked better in arc ignition time and welding force tests. It also reduced contact burnout, which greatly extended the relay's overall life.

Conclusion

The results of this study show that the improved silver tin oxide material is ideal for use as a contact material for magnetic latching relays by virtue of its higher hardness and better resistance to fusion welding. This material offers notable advantages in extending the service life of relays and enhancing the stability of equipment. It is expected to see broader application in the future. If you have any questions about AgSnO₂material, please feel free to contact us.