Electrical Contact Material for Small Battery

[goldenfab]

I am looking for some recommendations for an electrical contact material.

I am basically picking a design change from prototype to production where someone else left off. I am re-designing a small sheet metal part that needs to also function as a spring to keep electrical contact with a watch battery. The original drawing simply calls out "Nickel Plated 3/4 Hard Bronze" for material. I have no reason to change the material other than specifying an actual bronze alloy. What bronze alloys are better suited to this application and which are not?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sparweb]

You don't have to make your choice in a vacuum. Your question implies that a prototype was already made, and production is starting.
Look up the 3/4 hard bronze spec that was supplied for the prototype (probably printed on the purchaser's invoice).
Consult with suppliers who will inform you of the sheet metal products they have available. They will probably recommend the same stuff as they recommended to the first engineer.



STF

 

[goldenfab]

There was no spec other than "3/4 hard bronze" and there is no asking because the last guy is no longer working the project. Now its my responsibility to get this right so I want to make an informed decision.

 

[Sparweb]

You will have to see beyond the individual who spec'd the bronze in the first place.
Contact your material suppliers, and discuss with other personnel at your company who were involved with the prototype.
There are not many bronze sheet specifications to choose from, and if you'd done any research on this, you'd have it narrowed down to just a couple by now.

STF