Precious Metal 950 Silver (Minerve) vs S990
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal 950 Silver (Minerve) and S990 are both precious metal grades. 950 Silver (Minerve) is the stronger of the two: yield strength 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for S990, about 30% more; tensile strength follows at 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) vs 150 MPa (21.8 ksi). 950 Silver (Minerve) is harder — 52 HB against 30 HB for S990 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. S990 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, 950 Silver (Minerve) machines more easily (good vs fair) and 950 Silver (Minerve) welds better (very good vs good).
950 Silver (Minerve)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
S990Choose it when the part sees heat.
950 Silver (Minerve) vs S990: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all precious metal grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all precious metal grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 101 GPa14.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.37 · Elongation at Break 45%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 95 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 1,500 MJ/kg644,885 BTU/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 950 Silver (Minerve) | S990 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
950 Silver (Minerve) vs S990 — frequently asked
Is 950 Silver (Minerve) stronger than S990?
Yes. 950 Silver (Minerve) has a typical yield strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for S990 — about 30% more. Tensile strength is 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) vs 150 MPa (21.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 950 Silver (Minerve) or S990?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, 950 Silver (Minerve) or S990?
950 Silver (Minerve). Its machinability rates good (60/100) against fair (50/100) for S990; for welding the order is 950 Silver (Minerve) first (very good, 70/100) then S990 (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 950 Silver (Minerve) and S990 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.