Bimetal Contact Rivets
Silver and silver-alloy contact heads joined to copper shanks, supplied as custom bimetal rivets for relays, switches, contactors, and circuit breakers.
Contact faces and shanks shown from several angles.
Bimetal Contact Rivets · 1 / 2
Part details
- Type
- Bimetal contact rivets
- Materials
- Ag/Cu, AgNi/Cu, AgSnO₂/Cu, and AgCdO/Cu composite systems
- Applications
- Relays, switches, contactors, circuit breakers
- Key dimensions
- Reference combinations from 2.5–8.0 mm head diameter; confirm final values by drawing or sample
Sampling & supply
- Sample development
- Available after technical review
- Production MOQ
- Confirmed by part, material, tooling and production arrangement; sample and trial quantities assessed separately
- Sample lead time
- Typically 5-10 working days after technical review and agreed start conditions
- Production lead time
- Typically 15-20 days after technical review and agreed start conditions
Silver contact heads with copper shanks.
Contact-material options
The silver or silver-alloy working layer covers the specified head face. The copper base and shank provide the locating and riveting geometry; the contact layer and any surface plating are separate drawing features.
Head, shank and silver layer
Specify silver-layer thickness at the centre, quarter position or edge of the finished head, with its nominal value or minimum and tolerance. The head profile and forming process shape the layer distribution. The size table below keeps the approved head-and-shank combinations together.
Rivets or complete assemblies
Source the individual contact rivet, or discuss a riveted contact assembly supplied with its conductive carrier.
Start with a trial part
Conventional individual contact-rivet samples and sample processing are free after technical review; international courier freight is paid by the customer. Special materials, tooling and other chargeable work are agreed before starting.
Bimetal reference size combinations
Use the reference combinations below to identify a starting point for an RFQ. Final dimensions, tolerances, material system, and process are confirmed from the drawing or sample.
Swipe the table horizontally to see all columns.
| Head diameter D (mm) | Head thickness T (mm) | Contact layer thickness S (mm) | Shank diameter d (mm) | Shank length L (mm) | Spherical radius SR (mm) | Draft angle θ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 | 0.30–0.40 | 1.2, 1.5 | 1.0–2.0 | 4, 6 | 9° |
| 3.0 | 0.8, 1.0, 1.2 | 0.35–0.50 | 1.5 | 1.0–2.0 | 6, 8 | 9° |
| 3.5 | 0.8, 1.0, 1.2 | 0.35–0.50 | 1.5, 2.0 | 1.0–3.0 | 6, 8 | 9° |
| 4.0 | 1.0, 1.2, 1.5 | 0.35–0.50 | 2.0 | 1.0–3.0 | 8, 10 | 9° |
| 4.5 | 1.0, 1.2, 1.5 | 0.35–0.50 | 2.0, 2.5 | 1.0–3.0 | 8, 10 | 9° |
| 5.0 | 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 2.0 | 0.40–0.60 | 2.5 | 1.0–3.0 | 10, 15 | 9° |
| 5.5 | 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 2.0 | 0.40–0.60 | 2.5, 3.0 | 1.0–3.0 | 10, 15 | 9° |
| 6.0 | 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 2.0 | 0.40–0.60 | 3.0 | 1.0–3.0 | 15, 20 | 9° |
| 6.5 | 1.2, 1.5, 2.0 | 0.50–0.70 | 3.0, 3.5 | 1.0–3.0 | 15, 20 | 9° |
| 7.0 | 1.2, 1.5, 2.0 | 0.50–0.70 | 3.5 | 1.0–3.0 | 20, 25 | 9° |
| 8.0 | 1.2, 1.5, 2.0 | 0.50–0.70 | 4.0 | 1.0–3.0 | 20, 25 | 9° |
Typical reference combinations for an initial RFQ. Select a compatible set; values in each row are options, not every cross-combination. Final dimensions, tolerances, material system, and process are confirmed from the drawing or sample.
| Feature | Reference tolerance |
|---|---|
| Head diameter D | ±0.10 mm |
| Head thickness T | ±0.05 mm |
| Contact layer thickness S | S ≤ 0.4: +0.06 / 0; S > 0.4: 0 / −0.06 mm |
| Shank diameter d | d < 2.0: 0 / −0.02 mm; d ≥ 2.0: 0 / −0.10 mm |
| Shank length L | +0.15 / 0 mm |
| Spherical radius SR | ±0.2R |
| Draft angle θ | 9° ± 2° |
Reference values for an initial RFQ. Confirm the applicable dimensions and tolerances from the drawing or sample, material system, and project review before production.
| Feature | Reference |
|---|---|
| Applicable condition | D ≥ 4.0 mm and S ≥ 0.3 mm |
| Boss diameter D1 | Drawing or sample |
| Boss height T1 | T1 = S − (0.15–0.25 mm) |
| Transition radius R1 | 0.10–0.20 mm |
Reference values for an initial RFQ. Confirm the applicable dimensions and tolerances from the drawing or sample, material system, and project review before production.
- Confirm the final dimension combination, material system, and tolerances before production.
Bimetal rivet structure
A silver or silver-alloy contact head is bonded to a copper base and cylindrical shank. Use the table above for reference dimensions.
- Silver or silver-alloy contact head
- Copper base and shank
Manufacturing & inspection
Manufacturing route
We select the contact material, copper shank, forming method, and finished surface as one manufacturing route.
- Contact-head and shank material matching
- Composite rivet forming to the approved geometry
- Surface condition selected for the finished part
- Sample production to the approved drawing or sample
Inspection focus
Inspection follows the approved part construction and requirements.
- Key dimensions and visual condition
- Silver-layer assessment where specified
- Bimetal bonding check where specified
- Sample-to-production consistency against the approved sample and specification
Materials & applications
Material systems
- Silver and silver-alloy contact heads
- Copper or specified base-shank materials
- Ag/Cu, AgNi/Cu, AgSnO₂/Cu, AgCdO/Cu, and customer-specified composite systems
Typical applications
- Relays
- Switches
- Contactors
- Circuit breakers
Related technical data
Check the material data before selecting the material and manufacturing process.
Confirm the head, shank, and contact layer before sampling.
Send a drawing, sample, or photo so we can confirm layer thickness, shank geometry, and assembly features.
- 01Share the application and any drawing, sample or photo you have.
- 02We review feasibility and quote from sufficient drawings or specifications.
- 03We agree any sample or process validation required for your part.
- 04Production starts after the agreed validation and written approval.
Before you request a sample
How do I specify the contact material and silver layer?
Share the existing material specification, application, head and shank dimensions, and contact-layer requirement. Ag/Cu, AgNi/Cu and AgSnO₂/Cu are available starting points. Use the reference combinations on this page to discuss geometry; final material, layer thickness and tolerances are confirmed together for your part.
Can I start with a photo instead of a complete drawing?
Yes. Send clear views of the head and shank, the application and the quantity you need. Include a known dimension if available. A photo can start the discussion, but material composition and final dimensions require further confirmation from a specification, drawing or physical sample.
Can you supply the rivet with its conductive carrier?
Yes. We supply individual contact rivets and complete riveted contact assemblies. For an assembly, include the carrier material, thickness, hole position and contact orientation. The complete assembly and its sample cost are reviewed separately from an individual rivet.
Which sample costs should I plan for?
Conventional individual contact-rivet samples and sample processing are free after technical review; the customer pays international courier freight. Special materials, tooling and other chargeable work are agreed before starting.
Related product families
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Need a bimetal rivet matched to an existing part?
Send a drawing, sample, or photo to confirm materials and dimensions.