Bimetal Rivets Materials Comparison 2026: Ag/Cu vs AgNi/Cu vs AgSnO2/Cu vs AgW/Cu vs AgC/Cu
Chende Factory – Which One to Choose?

January 2026 | 45 min read | Chende Electrical Contact R&D Center

Introduction to Bimetal Rivets Materials: Why Comparison Matters in 2026

Bimetal rivets are essential electrical contact components, consisting of a silver alloy head bonded to a copper base. The choice of head material (Ag/Cu, AgNi/Cu, AgSnO2/Cu, AgW/Cu, AgC/Cu) directly affects conductivity, arc resistance, anti-welding, durability, and cost. In 2026, with silver prices at $35–40/oz and RoHS regulations banning cadmium, selecting the right bimetal rivets material is more critical than ever for relays, switches, contactors, and circuit breakers.

At Chende, we produce over 500,000 bimetal rivets daily, and we've tested thousands of combinations. This guide compares the five most common materials, based on our lab data, customer field results, and 15 years of manufacturing experience. We'll cover performance metrics, applications, advantages, limitations, and how to choose the best one for your project. For the full bimetal rivets overview, see our main guide Bimetal Rivets Ultimate Guide 2026.

Bimetal Rivets Materials Comparison Table 2026: Key Performance Metrics

Here’s a detailed comparison of the five main bimetal rivets materials from our 2025–2026 tests (IEC 60947 compliant):

From the table, you can see AgSnO2/Cu bimetal rivets excel in arc erosion resistance and life cycles, making them the top choice for modern high-power applications. AgNi/Cu bimetal rivets offer the best balance of cost and performance for medium loads. For detailed material comparison, see our main guide Bimetal Rivets Ultimate Guide 2026.

Ag/Cu vs AgNi/Cu: Which Is Better for Low to Medium Loads?

Ag/Cu bimetal rivets provide the highest conductivity (100–105% IACS) but have the lowest hardness (25–30 HV) and arc erosion resistance (1.5–2.0 mg/10K cycles). They are ideal for low-current signal relays where efficiency is critical. However, in applications with frequent switching or inductive loads, Ag/Cu bimetal rivets often fail due to welding or material transfer.

AgNi/Cu bimetal rivets add nickel (10–30%) to the head, increasing hardness (80–150 HV) and anti-welding force (50–120 N), while still maintaining good conductivity (70–90% IACS). This makes them the most popular choice for medium power relays and switches. In our factory tests, AgNi/Cu bimetal rivets achieve 100K–500K life cycles, 2–5x longer than Ag/Cu in inductive loads. For low to medium power applications, Chende recommends AgNi/Cu bimetal rivets as the best balance of cost, performance, and durability.

AgSnO2/Cu: The Future of High Inductive Load Bimetal Rivets

AgSnO2/Cu bimetal rivets, with tin oxide (8–15%) dispersed in silver, are the go-to material for high inductive loads in 2026. The oxide particles prevent welding and reduce arc erosion to 0.3–0.4 mg/10K cycles, while doping with In₂O₃ (1–3%) lowers temperature rise by 15–20%. This makes AgSnO2/Cu bimetal rivets ideal for circuit breakers, contactors, and EV charging relays. In real customer applications, switching from AgCdO to AgSnO2/Cu reduced failure rates by 50% and extended life cycles to 200K–1M.

Chende produces AgSnO2/Cu bimetal rivets with nano-sized tin oxide for uniform dispersion, achieving 99.97% yield. For high inductive loads, AgSnO2/Cu is the sustainable, high-performance choice. For more on AgSnO2 bimetal rivets, see Bimetal Rivets Ultimate Guide 2026.

AgW/Cu and AgC/Cu: When Extreme Conditions Require Bimetal Rivets

For high-voltage circuit breakers (72.5kV+), AgW/Cu bimetal rivets are unmatched. Tungsten (50–70%) provides extreme hardness (180–300 HV) and arc resistance (0.2–0.3 mg/10K cycles), withstanding 10,000A short-circuits. The copper base reduces resistance to 10–15 mΩ, making AgW/Cu bimetal rivets the standard for power grid applications.

AgC/Cu bimetal rivets, with carbon (5–10%), offer superior anti-welding force (200+ N), ideal for DC loads where welding is a risk. In our tests, AgC/Cu bimetal rivets achieve 150K–500K life cycles in DC disconnect switches. For extreme conditions, AgW/Cu and AgC/Cu are the go-to bimetal rivets. For high-voltage bimetal rivets, see Bimetal Rivets in High Voltage Applications 2026.

Real Factory Case: Choosing the Right Bimetal Rivet Material for EV Relays

A European EV charging manufacturer was using AgCdO/Cu bimetal rivets in their 150kW DC fast chargers. They experienced welding failures during high inrush and warranty returns after 50,000 cycles. In 2025, we switched them to our AgSnO2/Cu bimetal rivets with 2% In₂O₃ doping. Key improvements:

• Arc erosion reduced by 40%
• Anti-welding force increased to 140–200 N
• Life cycles extended from 50K to 300K+
• Temperature rise lowered by 18%

After 9 months of field testing, zero failures. They now order 1.5 million AgSnO2/Cu bimetal rivets annually. This case shows why material comparison is critical for EV applications. For more cases, see Silver Contact Applications Guide.

2026 Trends: Bimetal Rivets Materials in Smart Grid & Renewables

By 2026, bimetal rivets materials will evolve with:

• Nano-sized oxide doping for 20% better arc resistance
• Tri-metal structures (AgSnO2/Ni/Cu) for corrosion resistance
• Sustainable, cadmium-free alloys to meet RoHS updates
• IoT-ready bimetal rivets with embedded sensors

Chende is already producing nano-doped AgSnO2/Cu bimetal rivets for pilot projects in solar inverters and EV chargers. For trends, see Silver Contact Industry Trends 2025–2030.

Chende Custom Bimetal Rivets Materials: From Design to Delivery

We start with your drawing, select the best bimetal rivets material, prototype in 3 days, and mass produce in 7–14 days. Our team has handled 500+ custom projects. For custom bimetal rivets, see The 5 Most Recommended Silver Alloy Contacts for 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bimetal Rivets Materials

What is the best bimetal rivets material for high inductive loads?

AgSnO2/Cu bimetal rivets are the best choice for high inductive loads due to superior arc erosion resistance (0.3–0.4 mg/10K cycles) and anti-welding force (140–200 N). They are widely used in circuit breakers and contactors.

What are the advantages of AgNi/Cu bimetal rivets?

AgNi/Cu bimetal rivets offer excellent anti-welding (50–120 N), good conductivity (70–90% IACS), and durability (100K–500K life cycles), making them ideal for medium power relays and switches.

Are AgW/Cu bimetal rivets suitable for high-voltage applications?

Yes, AgW/Cu bimetal rivets are perfect for high-voltage circuit breakers (72.5kV+), with extreme hardness (180–300 HV) and arc resistance (0.2–0.3 mg/10K cycles), withstanding 10,000A short-circuits.

Why choose bimetal rivets over solid silver rivets?

Bimetal rivets reduce silver usage by 40–60%, lower costs by 30–50%, and provide better durability with the same or higher performance in most applications.

Which bimetal rivets material is RoHS compliant in 2026?

All cadmium-free bimetal rivets (AgNi/Cu, AgSnO2/Cu, AgW/Cu, AgC/Cu) are fully RoHS compliant and meet 2026 environmental regulations.

Related Articles & Resources

• Bimetal Rivets Ultimate Guide 2026 – Chende Factory
• Bimetal Rivets for Electrical Contacts in Relays 2026 – Chende Factory
• Bimetal Rivets Manufacturing Process 2026 – Chende Factory
• Bimetal Rivets in High Voltage Applications 2026 – Chende Factory
• Bimetal Rivets Selection Guide 2026 – Chende Factory
• Silver Contact Applications in Different Industries 2025
• Silver Contact Manufacturer China 2025 | CDSilver Wholesale
• Silver Contact Materials Ultimate Guide
• All Electric Silver Contact Products
• Best Silver Contact Manufacturer China 2025

Authority References

• World Silver Survey 2025
• IEC 60947 Low-Voltage Switchgear Standards
• UL 508 Industrial Control Equipment
• TE Connectivity Relay Design Guide
• Schneider Electric Contactor Specifications