solenoid contactor plate material

[4130 metalworks]

Hi
i have an existing dc solenoid which has a contactor plate made of unknown material. Very similar to a washer, 2.66mm thick and 31.65mm od. This plate has issues with fusing to the copper contacts and we wanted to try a better material. Someone on an older forum page had upgraded their with great success using a tri mix material of 15% silver 15% zinc and 70% brass. So far this material has been impossible to find, is there a trade name or similar material that's easy to source and has properties able to hold higher amperage withoutwelding shut?

 

[waross]

Dress the fixed contacts. If the fixed contacts are not making good contact over a sufficient area local heating may cause welding.
What amperage are you running compared to the solenoid rating?
Contact welding is often associated with higher than rated currents.
A starter has almost no resistance when at rest.
A partly failing starter may cause enough current to weld the contacts.
Starter running current is immaterial. It is the current surge when a stationary starter is energized that does the damage.