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Precious Metal 90Ag-10CdO vs Silver 999

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal 90Ag-10CdO and Silver 999 are both precious metal grades. 90Ag-10CdO is the stronger of the two: yield strength 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999, about 64% more; tensile strength follows at 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi). In exchange, Silver 999 is the more ductile: elongation 48% versus 28% for 90Ag-10CdO, and 90Ag-10CdO is harder (55 HB vs 25 HB). 90Ag-10CdO is stiffer (80 GPa vs 76 GPa) and Silver 999 conducts heat better (429 W/m·K vs 320 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 90Ag-10CdO machines more easily (good vs fair), Silver 999 welds better (good vs fair), and 90Ag-10CdO sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Silver 999 (specialty, $$$$$).

90Ag-10CdOChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

Silver 999Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

90Ag-10CdO vs Silver 999: properties

90Ag-10CdOSilver 999

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

80 GPa11.6 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Shear Modulus

29 GPa4.2 Msi
29.5 GPa4.3 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
55 MPa8 ksi

Elongation at Break

28%
48%

Shear Strength

150 MPa21.8 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

85 MPa12.3 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
25 HB

Hardness, Vickers

60 HV
27 HV

Reduction in Area

—
85%

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 100 GPa14.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.37

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

10.2 g/cm³0.37 lb/in³
10.49 g/cm³0.38 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

960°C1,760 °F
962°C1,763 °F

Liquidus Temperature

962°C1,764 °F
962°C1,763 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

320 W/m·K185 BTU/hr·ft·°F
429 W/m·K248 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

19 µm/m·K10.6 µin/in·°F
19.6 µm/m·K10.9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

100 J/g43 BTU/lb
105 J/g45.1 BTU/lb

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 235 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 250°C482 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

82 % IACS
106 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.1×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.827 µΩ·in
1.59×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.626 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

0.05 V
-0.11 V

Corrosion Resistance

85 / 100
80 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

55 / 100
40 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
55%

Weldability

45 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
98 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
96 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
98 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

1,500 MJ/kg644,885 BTU/lb
1,550 MJ/kg666,381 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

115 kg CO₂/kg
96 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

2,500 L/kg300 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

23 kN·m/kg
13 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

7.8 MN·m/kg
7.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

51 kJ/m³
20 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

133.5 mm²/s
174 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

48
40

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every precious metal grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

50100200500101520Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleSilver 99990Ag-10CdO

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability90Ag-10CdOSilver 999
Default condition—O
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$$ Specialty
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

90Ag-10CdO vs Silver 999 — frequently asked

Is 90Ag-10CdO stronger than Silver 999?

Yes. 90Ag-10CdO has a typical yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999 — about 64% more. Tensile strength is 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 90Ag-10CdO or Silver 999?

90Ag-10CdO is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Silver 999 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, 90Ag-10CdO or Silver 999?

90Ag-10CdO. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (40/100) for Silver 999; for welding the order is Silver 999 first (good, 60/100) then 90Ag-10CdO (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 90Ag-10CdO and Silver 999 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.