Pogo Pin Metal Material Comparison

Time：2025-08-28 Views：1 source:

Pogo pins are manufactured using various metal materials, each selected for specific properties like conductivity, durability, and cost, to meet the demands of diverse applications. The primary materials include brass, stainless steel, and phosphor bronze, with each offering distinct advantages and trade-offs.

Brass is the most common base material, valued for its excellent electrical conductivity (second only to copper) and machinability. Its malleability allows for precise shaping of the pin’s plunger and housing, ensuring tight tolerances critical for consistent performance. However, brass is prone to oxidation, which is why it is almost always plated with nickel or gold to enhance corrosion resistance. This combination makes brass ideal for consumer electronics, where cost and conductivity are key priorities.

Stainless steel (typically 304 or 316 grade) is chosen for its superior strength and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for harsh environments like industrial machinery or medical devices. While stainless steel has lower conductivity than brass, its durability—resistance to bending, wear, and chemical exposure—justifies its use in applications requiring long-term reliability. 316 stainless steel, with added molybdenum, offers enhanced resistance to saltwater and acids, making it ideal for marine or medical equipment.

Phosphor bronze, an alloy of copper and tin with phosphorus, balances conductivity and elasticity. Its high fatigue resistance makes it ideal for the spring components within pogo pins, as it can withstand repeated compression and expansion without permanent deformation. Phosphor bronze springs maintain consistent force over thousands of cycles, ensuring reliable contact pressure—critical for maintaining low resistance in high-cycle applications like test fixtures.

The choice of material depends on the application: brass for cost-sensitive, high-conductivity needs; stainless steel for durability in harsh environments; and phosphor bronze for spring elements requiring elasticity and fatigue resistance.