Precious Metal B617 vs Silver 999
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal B617 and Silver 999 are both precious metal grades. B617 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999, about 18% more; tensile strength follows at 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi). In exchange, Silver 999 is the more ductile: elongation 48% versus 40% for B617, and B617 is harder (58 HB vs 25 HB). Silver 999 runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous) and Silver 999 conducts heat better (429 W/m·K vs 360 W/m·K). On the shop floor, B617 machines more easily (good vs fair) and B617 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Silver 999 (specialty, $$$$$).
B617Choose 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 the part sees heat.
B617 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 100 GPa14.5 Msi · 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)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 105 J/g45.1 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 55%
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 | B617 | Silver 999 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
B617 vs Silver 999 — frequently asked
Is B617 stronger than Silver 999?
Yes. B617 has a typical yield strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999 — about 18% more. Tensile strength is 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, B617 or Silver 999?
B617 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Silver 999 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, B617 or Silver 999?
B617. 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 B617 (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in B617 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.