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Precious Metal AuNi5 vs PdRu5

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal AuNi5 and PdRu5 are both precious metal grades. AuNi5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for PdRu5, about 190% more; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi). In exchange, PdRu5 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 3% for AuNi5, and AuNi5 is harder (200 HV vs 120 HV). PdRu5 is lighter (12.05 g/cm³ vs 18.3 g/cm³ for AuNi5) and PdRu5 is stiffer (135 GPa vs 105 GPa). On the shop floor, AuNi5 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and PdRu5 welds better (very good vs good).

AuNi5Choose 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.

AuNi5 vs PdRu5: properties

AuNi5PdRu5

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

105 GPa15.2 Msi
135 GPa19.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

38 GPa5.5 Msi
50 GPa7.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

175 GPa25.4 Msi
195 GPa28.3 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

700 MPa102 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

610 MPa88.5 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

3%
25%

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
280 MPa40.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

200 HV
120 HV

Reduction in Area

—
55%

Hardness, Brinell

—
114 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
68 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.39

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

990°C1,814 °F
1,575°C2,867 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,020°C1,868 °F
1,600°C2,912 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

60 W/m·K34.7 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

68 J/g29.2 BTU/lb
157 J/g67.5 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
500°C932 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-269°C-452 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

13 % IACS
9.6 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.12 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)

0.22 V
0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

94 / 100
92 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
25 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
20%

Weldability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
85 / 100

Castability

70 / 100
40 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

92 / 100
90 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

185,000 MJ/kg7.95×10⁷ BTU/lb
95,000 MJ/kg4.08×10⁷ BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

15,000 kg CO₂/kg
3,800 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250,000 L/kg29,957 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

40%
55%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
37 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

5.7 MN·m/kg
11.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,772 kJ/m³
163 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

23.4 mm²/s
15.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

28
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 scaleAuNi5PdRu5

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAuNi5PdRu5
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

AuNi5 vs PdRu5 — frequently asked

Is AuNi5 stronger than PdRu5?

Yes. AuNi5 has a typical yield strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for PdRu5 — about 190% more. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, AuNi5 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, AuNi5 or PdRu5?

AuNi5. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (25/100) for PdRu5; for welding the order is PdRu5 first (very good, 70/100) then AuNi5 (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AuNi5 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.