Precious Metal AuNi vs Silver 999
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal AuNi and Silver 999 are both precious metal grades. AuNi is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999, about 11 times as much; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi). In exchange, Silver 999 is the more ductile: elongation 48% versus 3% for AuNi, and AuNi is harder (215 HV vs 27 HV). Silver 999 is lighter (10.49 g/cm³ vs 18.3 g/cm³ for AuNi) and AuNi is stiffer (95 GPa vs 76 GPa). On the shop floor, AuNi welds better (very good vs good) and AuNi sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Silver 999 (specialty, $$$$$).
AuNiChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Silver 999Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
AuNi 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Hardness, Brinell
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)
Min Service Temperature
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
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%
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 | AuNi | Silver 999 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
AuNi vs Silver 999 — frequently asked
Is AuNi stronger than Silver 999?
Yes. AuNi has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999 — about 11 times as much. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, AuNi or Silver 999?
AuNi is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Silver 999 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, AuNi or Silver 999?
AuNi, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for Silver 999; for welding the order is AuNi first (very good, 75/100) then Silver 999 (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AuNi 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.