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Precious Metal AgCdO12 vs Silver 999

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal AgCdO12 and Silver 999 are both precious metal grades. AgCdO12 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999, about 3.6 times as much; tensile strength follows at 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi). In exchange, Silver 999 is the more ductile: elongation 48% versus 12% for AgCdO12, and AgCdO12 is harder (80 HB vs 25 HB). AgCdO12 is stiffer (80 GPa vs 76 GPa) and Silver 999 conducts heat better (429 W/m·K vs 330 W/m·K). On the shop floor, AgCdO12 machines more easily (good vs fair), Silver 999 welds better (good vs poor), and AgCdO12 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Silver 999 (specialty, $$$$$).

AgCdO12Choose 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.

AgCdO12 vs Silver 999: properties

AgCdO12Silver 999

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

80 GPa11.6 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Shear Modulus

30 GPa4.4 Msi
29.5 GPa4.3 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

270 MPa39.2 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

200 MPa29 ksi
55 MPa8 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
48%

Reduction in Area

25%
85%

Compressive Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
—

Shear Strength

180 MPa26.1 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

95 MPa13.8 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

80 HB
25 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

40 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

85 HV
27 HV

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

330 W/m·K191 BTU/hr·ft·°F
429 W/m·K248 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

240 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

92 J/g39.6 BTU/lb
105 J/g45.1 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 250°C482 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

80 % IACS
106 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.15×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.846 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)

0.1 V
-0.11 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 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 %)

50%
55%

Weldability

25 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
98 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

75 / 100
96 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
98 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

1,300 MJ/kg558,900 BTU/lb
1,550 MJ/kg666,381 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

110 kg CO₂/kg
96 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

2,000 L/kg240 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

26 kN·m/kg
13 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

7.8 MN·m/kg
7.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

250 kJ/m³
20 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

134.8 mm²/s
174 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

59
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 999AgCdO12

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAgCdO12Silver 999
Default condition—O
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$$ Specialty
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

AgCdO12 vs Silver 999 — frequently asked

Is AgCdO12 stronger than Silver 999?

Yes. AgCdO12 has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999 — about 3.6 times as much. Tensile strength is 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, AgCdO12 or Silver 999?

AgCdO12 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, AgCdO12 or Silver 999?

AgCdO12. 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 AgCdO12 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AgCdO12 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.