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Precious Metal 90Ag-10Ni vs Silver 999

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal 90Ag-10Ni and Silver 999 are both precious metal grades. 90Ag-10Ni is the stronger of the two: yield strength 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999, about 36% more; tensile strength follows at 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi). In exchange, Silver 999 is the more ductile: elongation 48% versus 30% for 90Ag-10Ni, and 90Ag-10Ni is harder (50 HB vs 25 HB). 90Ag-10Ni is stiffer (88 GPa vs 76 GPa) and Silver 999 conducts heat better (429 W/m·K vs 340 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Silver 999 welds better (good vs fair) and 90Ag-10Ni sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Silver 999 (specialty, $$$$$).

90Ag-10NiChoose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

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

90Ag-10Ni vs Silver 999: properties

90Ag-10NiSilver 999

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

88 GPa12.8 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Shear Modulus

33 GPa4.8 Msi
29.5 GPa4.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

108 GPa15.7 Msi
100 GPa14.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

75 MPa10.9 ksi
55 MPa8 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
48%

Reduction in Area

60%
85%

Shear Strength

160 MPa23.2 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

95 MPa13.8 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

50 HB
25 HB

Hardness, Vickers

52 HV
27 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.37

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

10.3 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

340 W/m·K196 BTU/hr·ft·°F
429 W/m·K248 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

252 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F
235 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°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: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 250°C482 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

86 % IACS
106 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.787 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

45 / 100
40 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
55%

Weldability

45 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
98 / 100

Castability

20 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
96 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
98 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

1,400 MJ/kg601,892 BTU/lb
1,550 MJ/kg666,381 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

130 kg CO₂/kg
96 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

50%
30%

Embodied Water

—
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

23 kN·m/kg
13 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

8.5 MN·m/kg
7.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

32 kJ/m³
20 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

131 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-10Ni

Manufacturing and finishing

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

90Ag-10Ni vs Silver 999 — frequently asked

Is 90Ag-10Ni stronger than Silver 999?

Yes. 90Ag-10Ni has a typical yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999 — about 36% more. Tensile strength is 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi).

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

90Ag-10Ni 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-10Ni or Silver 999?

90Ag-10Ni, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for Silver 999; for welding the order is Silver 999 first (good, 60/100) then 90Ag-10Ni (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 90Ag-10Ni 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.