Precious Metal AgC3 vs Silver 999
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal AgC3 and Silver 999 are both precious metal grades. AgC3 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 110 MPa (16 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999, about 100% more; tensile strength follows at 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi). In exchange, Silver 999 is the more ductile: elongation 48% versus 10% for AgC3, and AgC3 is harder (38 HB vs 25 HB). AgC3 is lighter (9.4 g/cm³ vs 10.49 g/cm³ for Silver 999) and Silver 999 is stiffer (76 GPa vs 62 GPa). On the shop floor, AgC3 machines more easily (good vs fair), Silver 999 welds better (good vs poor), and AgC3 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Silver 999 (specialty, $$$$$).
AgC3Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Silver 999Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
AgC3 vs Silver 999: 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
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.37
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
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 250°C482 °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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Castability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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 | AgC3 | Silver 999 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
AgC3 vs Silver 999 — frequently asked
Is AgC3 stronger than Silver 999?
Yes. AgC3 has a typical yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999 — about 100% more. Tensile strength is 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, AgC3 or Silver 999?
AgC3 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Silver 999 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, AgC3 or Silver 999?
AgC3. Its machinability rates good (62/100) against fair (40/100) for Silver 999; for welding the order is Silver 999 first (good, 60/100) then AgC3 (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AgC3 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.