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Precious Metal Ag149 vs BAg-2a

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal Ag149 and BAg-2a are both precious metal grades. Ag149 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for BAg-2a, about 43% more; tensile strength follows at 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) vs 400 MPa (58 ksi). In exchange, BAg-2a is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 25% for Ag149, and Ag149 is harder (125 HB vs 85 HB). Ag149 is lighter (9 g/cm³ vs 9.4 g/cm³ for BAg-2a) and BAg-2a is stiffer (90 GPa vs 85 GPa).

Ag149Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

BAg-2aChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Ag149 vs BAg-2a: properties

Ag149BAg-2a

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

85 GPa12.3 Msi
90 GPa13.1 Msi

Shear Modulus

32 GPa4.6 Msi
33 GPa4.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.35
0.36

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

500 MPa72.5 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
28%

Shear Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
175 MPa25.4 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

125 HB
85 HB

Hardness, Vickers

130 HV
95 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 95 GPa13.8 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

9 g/cm³0.33 lb/in³
9.4 g/cm³0.34 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

680°C1,256 °F
607°C1,125 °F

Liquidus Temperature

700°C1,292 °F
710°C1,310 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

60 W/m·K34.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
75 W/m·K43.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

335 J/kg·K0.08 BTU/lb·°F
280 J/kg·K0.07 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

18.5 µm/m·K10.3 µin/in·°F
19 µm/m·K10.6 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
200°C392 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
120 J/g51.6 BTU/lb

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

11 % IACS
20 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.55×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.1 µΩ·in
8.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.39 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
-0.05 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
80 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
95 / 100

Machinability

—
45 / 100

Weldability

—
20 / 100

Castability

—
75 / 100

Polishability

—
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

780 MJ/kg335,340 BTU/lb
600 MJ/kg257,954 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

55 kg CO₂/kg
45 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
2,500 L/kg300 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

56 kN·m/kg
43 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

9.4 MN·m/kg
9.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

529 kJ/m³
245 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

19.9 mm²/s
28.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

19
18

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 scaleBAg-2aAg149

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAg149BAg-2a
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Ag149 vs BAg-2a — frequently asked

Is Ag149 stronger than BAg-2a?

Yes. Ag149 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for BAg-2a — about 43% more. Tensile strength is 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) vs 400 MPa (58 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Ag149 or BAg-2a?

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.

When should I choose Ag149 over BAg-2a?

Pick Ag149 when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint. Pick BAg-2a when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Ag149 and BAg-2a 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.