These materials have a unique combination of high conductivity coupled with a resistance to

both welding and erosion over a wide range of operating conditions. The higher the oxide

content of a silver-cadmium oxide material the more resistant to sticking and welding it

becomes, but this is at the expense of decreases the thermal and electrical conductivity. Generally

material containing 10-15% cadmium oxide are the most useful.

 

Two different methods are used to manufacture these materials: one based on powder metallurgy, and the other on internal oxidation. In the first process silver and cadmium oxide powders are mixed, compacted and sintered, and in the second a silver-cadmium alloy is subjected to internal oxidation.

 

In some applications silver-tin oxide can be used ad a replacement for silver cadmium oxide .