Precious Metal B685 vs Silver 999
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal B685 and Silver 999 are both precious metal grades. B685 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 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi). In exchange, Silver 999 is the more ductile: elongation 48% versus 30% for B685, and B685 is harder (145 HB vs 25 HB). B685 is stiffer (130 GPa vs 76 GPa) and B685 runs hotter in service (450°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, Silver 999 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and B685 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Silver 999 (specialty, $$$$$).
B685Choose 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 the part is machined in volume.
B685 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Same in both: 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)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: 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
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
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 | B685 | Silver 999 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
B685 vs Silver 999 — frequently asked
Is B685 stronger than Silver 999?
Yes. B685 has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999 — about 3.6 times as much. Tensile strength is 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, B685 or Silver 999?
B685 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Silver 999 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, B685 or Silver 999?
Silver 999. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (30/100) for B685.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in B685 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.