The platinum group metals include the elements Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, and Os ''(Table <xr id="tab:Properties_Production_Processes_and_Application_Forms_for_Platinum_Metals"/><!--(Tab. 2.6)''-->). For electrical contacts , platinum and palladium have practical significance as base alloy materials and ruthenium and iridium are used as alloying components. Pt and Pd have similar corrosion resistance as gold but because for the reason of their catalytical properties , they tend to polymerize adsorbed organic vapors on contact surfaces. During frictional movement between contact surfaces , the polymerized compounds known as “brown powder” are formed , which can lead to significantly a significant increase in contact resistance. Therefore Pt and Pd are typically used as alloys and not in their pure form for electrical contact applications. <figtable id="tab:Properties_Production_Processes_and_Application_Forms_for_Platinum_Metals"><caption>'''<!--Table 2.6:-->Properties, Production Processes, and Application Forms for Platinum Metals'''</caption> {| class="twocolortable" style="text-align: left; font-size: 12px"|-!Element !Properties!Processing!Forms of Application|-|Ru<br />Ruthenium|Dull grey to silvery white, very hard and brittle,<br />in the presence of oxygen resistant to acids,<br />oxidizes during heating in air|Vapor deposition, sputtering, powder metallurgy,<br />warm-forming only possible at 1200 – 1500°C|Powder; in sheet form, as coatings,<br />and as wire mostly as alloying component|-|Rh<br />Rhodium |Almost silvery white, very hard and brittle, not soluble in acids,<br />oxidizes in air during red anneal|Electroplating, vapor deposition, sputtering,<br />after warm-forming at 800 – 1000°C cold working is possible|Coatings (electroplated), alloying component,<br />in limited form as sheet and wire|-|Pd<br />Palladium|Dull white, resistant to most acids,<br />oxidizes at red anneal|Electroplating, vapor deposition,<br />sputtering, cold working|Sheet, strip, tubing, wire,<br />rivets, and coatings|-|Os<br />Osmium|Bluish white, hardest platinum metal,<br />very brittle, resistant against non-oxidizing acids,<br />oxidizes easily on air|Powder metallurgy|Powder, alloying component|-|Ir<br />Iridium|Almost silvery white, very hard and brittle,<br />acid resistant, oxidizes at red anneal|Vapor deposition, sputtering, powder metallurgy,<br />warm-forming possible at 1200 – 1500°C|Powder, alloying component,<br />in limited amounts as sheet|-|Pt<br />Platinum|Grey white, ductile, acid resistant except for aqua regia,<br />HBr, and HJ, oxidation resistant at red anneal|Electroplating, vapor deposition,<br />sputtering, cold working|Sheet, strip, tubing, wire, rivets, coatings|}</figtable> 

Since Pd was for the longest time rather stable in price , it was looked at seen as a substitute for the more expensive gold. This was followed by a steep increase in the Pd price , which caused a significant reduction in its use in electrical contacts. Today (2011Dec. 2021) the palladium price is around 2600 Euro/oz. Alloys of Pt with Ru, Ir, Ni and W were widely used in electromechanical components in the telecommunication industry and in heavy duty automotive breaker points (<xr id="tab:Physical Properties of the Platinum Metals an their Alloys/>). <figtable id="tab:Physical Properties of the Platinum Metals an their Alloys"><caption>'''<!--Table 2.7:-->Physical Properties of the Platinum Metals an their Alloys'''</caption>  {| class="twocolortable" style="text-align: left; font-size: 12px"|-!Material!Platin/Palladium<br/>Content<br/>[wt.%]!Density<br/>[g/cm³]!Melting Point or Range<br/>[°C]!Electrical<br/>Resistivity<br/>[µΩ*cm]!Electrical<br/>Conductivity<br/>[MS/m]!Thermal<br/>Conductivity<br/>[W/m*K]!Temp. Coefficient of the<br/>Electrical Resistance<br/>[10³/K]!modulus of<br/>Elasticity<br/>[Gpa]|-|Pt (99,95)| >99,95|21,5|1772|10,6|9,5|72|3,9|173|-|PtIr5|95|21,5|1774 - 1776|22,2|4,5|42||190|-|PtIr10|90|21,6|1780 - 1785|17,9|5,6|29|2,0|220|-|PtRu10|90|20,6|ca. 1800|33,3|3,0||0,83|235|-|PtNi6|92|19,2|1670 - 1710|30|3,3||1,5|180|-|PtW5|95|21,3|1830 - 1860|43,4|2,3||0,7|185|-|Pd (99,95)| >99,95|12,0|1554|10,8|9,3|72|3,8|124|-|PdCu15|85|11,3|1370 - 1400|38,5|2,6|17|0,49|175|-|PdCu40|60|10,5|1200 - 1230|33,3|3,0|38|0,28|175|-|PdNi5|95|11,8|1455 - 1485|16,9|5,9||2,47|175|-|}</figtable>  Today these components have been replaced in many applications by solid state technology and the usage of these materials is greatly reduced. Pd price again alloys however have a more significant importance. PdCu15 is widely used, for example in automotive flasher relays. Because of their resistance to sulfide formation PdAg alloys are applied in various relay designs. With the ability to thermally precipitation harden some multi component alloys based on PdAgAuPt, they find special usage in wear resistant sliding contact applications. Pd44Ag38Cu15PtAuZn is lower a standard alloy in this group (<xr id="tab:Mechanical_Properties_of_the_Platinum_Metals_and_their_Alloys"/><!--(Tab 2.8)--> and <xr id="tab:Contact_and_Switching_Properties_of_the_Platinum_Metals_and_their_Alloys"/><!--(Tab. 2.9)-->). Platinum and palladium alloys are mainly used similar to the gold based materials in the form of welded wire and profile segments but rarely as contact rivets. Due to the high precious metal prices, joining technologies are used, that allow the most economic application of the contact alloy in the area where functionally needed. For reason of their resistance to material transfer they are used for DC applications and due to their higher arc erosion resistance, they are applied for medium electrical loads up to about 30W in relays and switches (<xr id="fig:Application_Examples_and_Form_of_Supply_for_Platinum_Metals_and_their_Alloys"/><!--(Table 2.10)-->). Multi-component alloys based on Pd with higher hardness and wear resistance are mainly used as spring arms in sliding contact systems and DC miniature motors. <figtable id="tab:Mechanical_Properties_of_the_Platinum_Metals_and_their_Alloys"><caption>'''<!--Table 2.8:-->Mechanical Properties of the Platinum Metals and their Alloys'''</caption><table class="twocolortable"><tr><th rowspan="2">Material</th><th colspan="2">Tensile Strength [MPa]</th><th colspan="2">Elongation A [%]</th><th colspan="2">Vickers Hardness HV 1</th></tr><tr><th>soft</th><th>70% cold worket</th><th>soft</th><th>70% cold worket</th><th>soft</th><th>70% cold worket</th></tr><tr><td>Pt (99,95)</td><td>150</td><td>360</td><td>40</td><td>3</td><td>40</td><td>120</td></tr><tr><td>PtIr5</td><td>260</td><td>550</td><td>25</td><td>2</td><td>85</td><td>160</td></tr><tr><td>PtIr10</td><td>340</td><td>570</td><td>24</td><td>2</td><td>105</td><td>210</td></tr><tr><td>PtRu10</td><td>650</td><td>1000</td><td>24</td><td>2</td><td>195</td><td>320</td></tr><tr><td>PtNi8</td><td>640</td><td>950</td><td>22</td><td>2</td><td>200</td><td>320</td></tr><tr><td>PtW5</td><td>530</td><td>860</td><td>21</td><td>2</td><td>150</td><td>270</td></tr><tr><td>Pd (99,95)</td><td>200</td><td>420</td><td>42</td><td>2</td><td>40</td><td>90</td></tr><tr><td>PdCu15</td><td>400</td><td>780</td><td>38</td><td>2</td><td>90</td><td>220</td></tr><tr><td>PdCu40</td><td>550</td><td>950</td><td>35</td><td>2</td><td>120</td><td>260</td></tr><tr><td>PdNi5</td><td>340</td><td>700</td><td>25</td><td>2</td><td>95</td><td>200</td></tr><tr><td>Pd35AuAgPt</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>420*</td></tr><tr><td>Pd44Ag38Cu15 PtAuZn</td><td/><td/><td/><td/><td/><td>405*</td></tr><tr><td>Pd40Co40W20</td><td/><td/><td/><td/><td/><td>680*</td></tr></table></figtable> *maximum hardness <figtable id="tab:Contact_and_Switching_Properties_of_the_Platinum_Metals_and_their_Alloys"><table class="twocolortable"><caption> '''<!--Table 2.9:-->Contact and Switching Properties of the Platinum Metals and their Alloys'''</caption><tr><th><p class="s11">Material</p></th><th><p class="s12">Properties<th colspan="2"></p></th></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">Pt</p></td><td><p class="s12">Very high corrosion resistance</p></td><td/></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtIr5 - 10</p></td><td><p class="s12">Very high corrosion resistance, low contact resistance</p></td><td><p class="s12">High arc erosion resistance, high hardness</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtRu10</p></td><td><p class="s12">Very high corrosion resistance, low welding tendency</p></td><td><p class="s12">Low contact resistance, very</p><p class="s12">high hardness</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtNi8</p></td><td><p class="s12">Low material transfer tendency</p></td><td><p class="s12">Very high hardness</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtW5</p></td><td><p class="s12">Low material transfer tendency</p></td><td><p class="s12">High hardness</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">Pd</p></td><td><p class="s12">Strong tendency to “Brown Powder” formation</p></td><td><p class="s12">Less arc erosion resistant than that Pt</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PdCu15</p><p class="s11">PdCu40</p></td><td><p class="s12">Tendency to “Brown Powder” formation</p></td><td><p class="s12">Mostly resistant to material</p><p class="s12">transfer, high hardness</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PdNi5</p></td><td><p class="s12">Strong tendency to “Brown Powder” formation</p></td><td><p class="s12">Low welding tendency</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">Pd44Ag38Cu15</p><p class="s11">PtAuZn</p></td><td><p class="s12">High mechanical wear resistance</p></td><td><p class="s12">Standard material for sliding</p><p class="s12">contact brushes</p></td></tr></table></figtable>   <figtable id="fig:Application_Examples_and_Form_of_Supply_for_Platinum_Metals_and_their_Alloys"><table class="twocolortable"><caption>'''<!--Table 2.10:-->Application Examples and Form of Supply for Platinum Metals and their Alloys'''</caption><tr><th><p class="s11">Material</p></th><th><p class="s12">Application Examples</p></th><th><p class="s12">Forms of Supply</p></th></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">Pt (99,95)</p></td><td><p class="s12">Relays</p></td><td><p class="s12">Contact rivets, welded contact parts</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtIr5</p><p class="s11">PtIr10</p><p class="s11">PtRu10</p><p class="s11">PtNi8</p><p class="s11">PtW5</p></td><td><p class="s12">Relays, sliding contact systems,</p><p class="s12">automotive ignition breaker points</p></td><td><p class="s12">'''Semi-finished Contact Materials''':</p><p class="s12">Wire, seam-welded contact profiles</p><p class="s12">'''Contact Parts:'''</p><p class="s12">Tips, wire-formed parts, solid and composite contact rivets, welded contact parts</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">Pd (99,95)</p><p class="s11">PdNi5</p></td><td><p class="s12">Relays</p></td><td><p class="s12">Micro-profiles (weld tapes), contact rivets, welded contact parts</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PdCu15</p><p class="s11">PdCu40</p></td><td><p class="s12">Automotive flasher relays</p></td><td><p class="s12">Micro-profiles, composite contact rivets</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">Pd35AuAgPt</p><p class="s11">Pd44Ag38Cu15</p><p class="s11">PtAuZn</p><p class="s11">Pd40Co40W20</p></td><td><p class="s12">Potentiometers, slip rings, miniature</p><p class="s12">DC motors</p></td><td><p class="s12">Wire-formed parts, welded wire segments, multi-arm sliding contact brushes</p></td></tr></table></figtable>  <div class="multiple-images"> <figure id="fig:Influence_of_1-20_atom%_of_different_additive_metals_on_the_electrical_resistivit_ p_of_platinum_(Degussa)">[[File:Influence of platinum degussa.jpg|left|thumb|<caption>Influence of 1- 20 atom% of different additive metals on the electrical resistivity p of platinum (Degussa)</caption>]]</figure> <figure id="fig:Influence_of_1-20_atom%_of_different_additive_metals_on_the_electrical_resistivit_ p_of_platinum">[[File:Influence of palladium.jpg|left|thumb|<caption>Influence of 1-22 atom% of different additive metals on the electrical resistivity p of palladium</caption>]]</figure> <figure id="fig:Phase_diagram_of_platinum-iridium">[[File:Phase diagram of platinum iridium.jpg|left|thumb|<caption>Fig. 2.27:Phase diagram of platinum-iridium</caption>]]</figure> <figure id="fig:Phase_diagram_of_platinum-nickel">[[File:Phase diagram of platinum nickel.jpg|left|thumb|<caption>Fig. 2.28:Phase diagram of platinum-nickel</caption>]]</figure> <figure id="fig:Phase_diagram_of_platinum-tungsten">[[File:Phase diagram of palladium copper.jpg|left|thumb|<caption>Fig. 2.29:Phase diagram of platinum-tungsten</caption>]]</figure> <figure id="fig:Phase_diagram_of_platinum-copper">[[File:Phase diagram of palladium copper2.jpg|left|thumb|<caption>Fig. 2.30: Phase diagram of palladium-copper</caption>]]</figure> <figure id="fig:Strain_hardening_of_Pt_by_cold_working">[[File:Strain hardening of goldPt by cold working.jpg|left|thumb|<caption>Fig. 2.31: Strain hardening of Pt by cold working</caption>]]</figure>

Alloys <figure id="fig:Softening_of_Pt_after_annealing_for_0.5_hrs_after_80%_cold_working">[[File:Softening of Pt with Ru, Ir, Ni, and W were widely used in electromechanical components in the telecommunication industry and in heavy duty automotive breaker points ''(Table after annealing.jpg|left|thumb|<caption>Fig. 2.7)''. Today these components have been replaced in many applications by solid state technology and the usage 32: Softening of these materials is greatly reduced. Pd alloys however have a more significant importance. PdCu15 is widely used Pt after annealing for example in automotive flasher relays. Because of their resistance to sulfide formation PdAg alloys are applied in various relay designs0. The ability to thermally precipitation harden some5 hrs after 80% cold working</caption>]]multi component alloys based on PdAgAuPt they find special usage in wear resistant sliding contact applications. Pd44Ag38Cu15PtAuZn is a standard alloy in this group.</figure>

Platinum and palladium alloys are mainly used similar to the gold based materials in the form <figure id="fig:Strain_hardening_of_PtIr5_by_cold_working">[[File:Strain hardening of welded wire and profile segments but rarely as contact rivetsPtIr5 by cold working. Because of the high precious metal prices joining technologies are used that allow the most economic application of the contact alloy in the area where functionally neededjpg|left|thumb|<caption>Fig. Because of their resistance to material transfer they are used for DC applications and due to their higher arc erosion resistance they are applied for medium electrical loads up to about 30W in relays and switches ''(Table 2.10)''. Multi-component alloys based on Pd with higher hardness and wear resistance are mainly used as spring arms in sliding contact systems and DC miniature motors.33: Strain hardening of PtIr5 by cold working</caption>]]</figure>

Table 2.6<figure id="fig: Properties, Production Processes, and Application Forms for Platinum MetalsSoftening_of_PtIr5_after_annealing_for_1_hr_after_different degrees_of_cold_working">[[File:Properties production platinum metalsSoftening of PtIr5 after annealing.jpg|rightleft|thumb|Properties, Production Processes and Application Forms <caption>Fig. 2.34: Softening of PtIr5 after annealing for Platinum Metals1 hr after different degrees of cold working</caption>]]Table 2.7: Physical Properties of the Platinum Metals and their Alloys</figure>

'''Table <figure id="fig:Strain_hardening_of_PtNi8_by_cold_working">[[File:Strain hardening of PtNi8 by cold working.jpg|left|thumb|<caption>Fig. 2.835: Mechanical Properties Strain hardening of the Platinum Metals and their Alloys'''PtNi8 by cold working</caption>]]</figure>

<table borderfigure id="1" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapsefig:collapse"><tr><td/><td><p class="s11">soft</p></td><td><p class="s11">70Softening_of_PtNi8_after_annealing_for_1_hr_after_80% cold worket</p></td><td><p class="s11_cold_working">soft</p>[[File:Softening of PtNi8 after annealing.jpg|left|thumb|</tdcaption><td><p class="s11">70Fig. 2.36: Softening of PtNi8 after annealing for 1 hr after 80% coldworking</p><p class="s11">worket</p></td><td><p class="s11">soft</p></td><td><p class="s11">70% cold</p><p class="s11">worket</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">Pt (99,95)</p></td><td><p class="s11">150</p></td><td><p class="s11">360</p></td><td><p class="s11">40</p></td><td><p class="s11">3</p></td><td><p class="s11">40</p></td><td><p class="s11">120</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtIr5</p></td><td><p class="s11">260</p></td><td><p class="s11">550</p></td><td><p class="s11">25</p></td><td><p class="s11">2</p></td><td><p class="s11">85</p></td><td><p class="s11">160</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtIr10</p></td><td><p class="s11">340</p></td><td><p class="s11">570</p></td><td><p class="s11">24</p></td><td><p class="s11">2</p></td><td><p class="s11">105</p></td><td><p class="s11">210</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtRu10</p></td><td><p class="s11">650</p></td><td><p class="s11">1000</p></td><td><p class="s11">24</p></td><td><p class="s11">2</p></td><td><p class="s11">195</p></td><td><p class="s11">320</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtNi8</p></td><td><p class="s11">640</p></td><td><p class="s11">950</p></td><td><p class="s11">22</p></td><td><p class="s11">2</p></td><td><p class="s11">200</p></td><td><p class="s11">320</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtW5</p></td><td><p class="s11">530</p></td><td><p class="s11">860</p></td><td><p class="s11">21</p></td><td><p class="s11">2</p></td><td><p class="s11">150</p></td><td><p class="s11">270</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">Pd (99,95)</p></td><td><p class="s11">200</p></td><td><p class="s11">420</p></td><td><p class="s11">42</p></td><td><p class="s11">2</p></td><td><p class="s11">40</p></td><td><p class="s11">90</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PdCu15</p></td><td><p class="s11">400</p></td><td><p class="s11">780</p></td><td><p class="s11">38</p></td><td><p class="s11">2</p></td><td><p class="s11">90</p></td><td><p class="s11">220</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PdCu40</p></td><td><p class="s11">550</p></td><td><p class="s11">950</p></td><td><p class="s11">35</p></td><td><p class="s11">2</p></td><td><p class="s11">120</p></td><td><p class="s11">260</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PdNi5</p><p class="s11">Pd35AuAgPt</p></td><td><p class="s11">340</p></td><td><p class="s11">700</p></td><td><p class="s11">25</p></td><td><p class="s11">2</p></td><td><p class="s11">95</p></td><td><p class="s11">200</p><p class="s11">420*</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">Pd44Ag38Cu15</p></td><td/><td/><td/><td/><td/><td><p class="s11">405*</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtAuZn</p><p class="s11">Pd40Co40W20</p></td><td/><td/><td/><td/><td/><td><p class="s11">680*</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s31">*maximum hardness</p></td><td/><td/><td/><td/><td/><td/></trcaption>]]</tablefigure>

Fig. 2.25<figure id="fig: Influence of 1-20 atom% of different additive metals on the electrical resistivity p of platinum (Degussa)Strain_hardening_of_PtW5_by_cold_working">[[File:Influence Strain hardening of platinum degussaPtW5 by cold working.jpg|rightleft|thumb|Influence <caption>Fig. 2.37: Strain hardening of 1- 20 atom% of different additive metals on the electrical resistivity p of platinum (Degussa)PtW5 by cold working</caption>]]</figure>

Fig. 2.26<figure id="fig: Influence of 1-22 atomSoftening_of_PtW5_after_annealing_for_1_hr_after_80% of different additive metals on the electrical resistivity p of palladium_cold_working">[[File:Influence Softening of palladiumPtW5 after annealing.jpg|rightleft|thumb|Influence <caption>Fig. 2.38: Softening of PtW5 after annealing for 1-22 atomhr after 80% of different additive metals on the electrical resistivity p of palladiumcold working</caption>]]</figure>

Fig. 2<figure id="fig:Strain_hardening_of_Pd_99.27: Phase diagram of platinum-iridium99_by_cold_working">[[File:Phase diagram Strain hardening of platinum iridiumPd-99 99by cold working.jpg|rightleft|thumb|Phase diagram <caption>Fig. 2.39: Strain hardening of platinum-iridiumPd 99.99 by cold working</caption>]]</figure>

Fig. 2.28: Phase diagram of platinum-nickel[[File:Phase diagram of platinum nickel.jpg|right|thumb|Phase diagram of platinum-nickel]]Fig. 2.29: Phase diagram of platinum-tungsten[[File:Phase diagram of palladium copper.jpg|right|thumb|Phase diagram of platinum-tungsten]]Fig. 2.30<figure id="fig: Phase diagram of palladium-copperStrain_hardening_of_PdCu15_by_cold_working">[[File:Phase diagram of palladium copper2.jpg|right|thumb|Phase diagram of palladium-copper]]Fig. 2.31: Strain hardening of Pt by cold working[[File:Strain hardening of Pt PdCu15 by cold working.jpg|rightleft|thumb|Strain hardening of Pt by cold working]]Fig. 2.32: Softening of Pt after annealing for 0.5 hrs after 80% cold working[[File:Softening of Pt after annealing.jpg|right|thumb|Softening of Pt after annealing for 0.5 hrs after 80% cold working]]Fig. 2.33: Strain hardening of PtIr5 by cold working[[File:Strain hardening of PtIr5 by cold working.jpg|right|thumb|Strain hardening of PtIr5 by cold working]]Fig. 2.34: Softening of PtIr5 after annealing for 1 hr after different degrees of cold working[[File:Softening of PtIr5 after annealing.jpg|right|thumb|Softening of PtIr5 after annealing for 1 hr after different degrees of cold working]]Fig. 2.35: Strain hardening of PtNi8 by cold working[[File:Strain hardening of PtNi8 by cold working.jpg|right|thumb|Strain hardening of PtNi8 by cold working]]Fig. 2.36: Softening of PtNi8 after annealing for 1 hr after 80% cold working[[File:Softening of PtNi8 after annealing.jpg|right|thumb|Softening of PtNi8 after annealing for 1 hr after 80% cold working]]Fig. 2.37: Strain hardening of PtW5 by cold working[[File:Strain hardening of PtW5 by cold working.jpg|right|thumb|Strain hardening of PtW5 by cold working]]Fig. 2.38: Softening of PtW5 after annealing for 1hr after 80% cold working[[File:Softening of PtW5 after annealing.jpg|right|thumb|Softening of PtW5 after annealing for 1hr after 80% cold working]]Fig. 2.39: Strain hardening of Pd 99.99 by cold working[[File:Strain hardening of Pd-99 99by cold working.jpg|right|thumb|Strain hardening of Pd 99.99 by cold working]]<caption>Fig. 2.40: Strain hardening of PdCu15 by cold working[[File:Strain hardening of PdCu15 by cold working.jpg|right|thumb|Strain hardening of PdCu15 by cold working]]Fig. 2.41: Softening of PdCu15 after annealing for 0.5 hrs[[File:Softening of PdCu15 after annealing.jpg|right|thumb|Softening of PdCu15 after annealing for 0.5 hrs]]Fig. 2.42: Strain hardening of PdCu40 by cold working[[File:Strain hardening of PdCu40 by cold working.jpg|right|thumb|Strain hardening of PdCu40 by cold working</caption>]]Fig. 2.43: Softening of PdCu40 after annealing for 0.5 hrs after 80% cold working</figure>

Fig<figure id="fig:Softening_of_PdCu15_after_annealing_for_0. 25_hrs">[[File:Softening of PdCu15 after annealing.44: Electrical resistivity p jpg|left|thumb|<caption>Softening of PdCu alloys with and without an PdCu15 after annealing step for forming an ordered phase0.5 hrs</caption>]]</figure>

'''Table 2.9: Contact and Switching Properties of the Platinum Metals and their Alloys'''<table border="1" cellspacingfigure id="0" style="border-collapsefig:collapseStrain_hardening_of_PdCu40_by_cold_working">[[File:Strain hardening of PdCu40 by cold working.jpg|left|thumb|<trcaption><td><p class="s11">MaterialStrain hardening of PdCu40 by cold working</pcaption>]]</td><tdfigure> <p classfigure id="s12fig:Softening_of_PdCu40_after_annealing_for_0.5_hrs_after_80%_cold_working">Properties</p>[[File:Softening of PdCu40 after annealing.jpg|left|thumb|</td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">Pt</p></td><td><p class="s12">Very high corrosion resistance</p></td><td/></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtIr5 - 10</p></td><td><p class="s12">Very high corrosion resistance, low contact resistance</p></td><td><p class="s12">High arc erosion resistance, high hardness</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtRu10</p></td><td><p class="s12">Very high corrosion resistance, low welding tendency</p></td><td><p class="s12">Low contact resistance, very</p><p class="s12">high hardness</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtNi8</p></td><td><p class="s12">Low material transfer tendency</p></td><td><p class="s12">Very high hardness</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PtW5</p></td><td><p class="s12">Low material transfer tendency</p></td><td><p class="s12">High hardness</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">Pd</p></td><td><p class="s12">Strong tendency to “Brown Powder” formation</p></td><td><p class="s12">Less arc erosion resistant than Pt</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PdCu15</p><p class="s11"caption>Softening of PdCu40after annealing for 0.5 hrs after 80% cold working</pcaption>]]</tdfigure> <td><p classfigure id="s12fig:Electrical_resistivity_p_of_PdCu_alloys">Tendency to “Brown Powder” formation</[[File:Electrical resistivity p></td>of PdCu alloys.jpg|left|thumb|<tdcaption><Electrical resistivity p class="s12">Mostly resistant to materialof PdCu alloys with and without an annealing step for forming an ordered phase</pcaption><p class="s12">transfer, high hardness]]</pfigure> </td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">PdNi5</p></td><td><p class="s12">Strong tendency to “Brown Powder” formation</p></td><td><p class="s12">Low welding tendency</p></td></tr><tr><td><p class="s11">Pd44Ag38Cu15</p><p class="s11">PtAuZn</p></td><td><p class="s12">High mechanical wear resistance</p></tddiv><td><p div class="s12clear">Standard material for sliding</p><p class="s12">contact brushes</p></td></tr></tablediv>