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Precious Metal AuCo5 vs PdRu5

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal AuCo5 and PdRu5 are both precious metal grades. AuCo5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for PdRu5, about 3.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 750 MPa (109 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi). In exchange, PdRu5 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 3% for AuCo5, and AuCo5 is harder (200 HV vs 120 HV). PdRu5 is lighter (12.05 g/cm³ vs 18.2 g/cm³ for AuCo5) and PdRu5 is stiffer (135 GPa vs 95 GPa). On the shop floor, AuCo5 machines more easily (fair vs poor).

AuCo5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

PdRu5Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

AuCo5 vs PdRu5: properties

AuCo5PdRu5

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

95 GPa13.8 Msi
135 GPa19.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

35 GPa5.1 Msi
50 GPa7.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

165 GPa23.9 Msi
195 GPa28.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.41
0.39

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

750 MPa109 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

650 MPa94.3 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

3%
25%

Shear Strength

430 MPa62.4 ksi
280 MPa40.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

200 HV
120 HV

Reduction in Area

—
55%

Hardness, Brinell

—
114 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
68 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

18.2 g/cm³0.66 lb/in³
12.05 g/cm³0.44 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

996°C1,825 °F
1,575°C2,867 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,025°C1,877 °F
1,600°C2,912 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

65 W/m·K37.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

140 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F
245 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

14.3 µm/m·K7.9 µin/in·°F
11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

70 J/g30.1 BTU/lb
157 J/g67.5 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
500°C932 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -269°C-452 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

14 % IACS
9.6 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.72 µΩ·in
1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

0.25 V
0.2 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 92 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
25 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
20%

Formability (cold)

25 / 100
85 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
40 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

95 / 100
90 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

180,000 MJ/kg7.74×10⁷ BTU/lb
95,000 MJ/kg4.08×10⁷ BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12,000 kg CO₂/kg
3,800 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

150,000 L/kg17,974 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

35%
55%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

41 kN·m/kg
37 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

5.2 MN·m/kg
11.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

2,224 kJ/m³
163 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

25.5 mm²/s
15.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

36
13

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 scaleAuCo5PdRu5

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAuCo5PdRu5
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

AuCo5 vs PdRu5 — frequently asked

Is AuCo5 stronger than PdRu5?

Yes. AuCo5 has a typical yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for PdRu5 — about 3.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 750 MPa (109 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, AuCo5 or PdRu5?

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, AuCo5 or PdRu5?

AuCo5. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (25/100) for PdRu5.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AuCo5 and PdRu5 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.