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Precious Metal BAg-1 vs BAg-13a

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal BAg-1 and BAg-13a are both precious metal grades. Both yield at about 200 MPa — strength does not separate them. BAg-13a is harder — 100 HB against 90 HB for BAg-1 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BAg-1 is lighter (9.3 g/cm³ vs 9.75 g/cm³ for BAg-13a) and BAg-13a is stiffer (95 GPa vs 83 GPa). On the shop floor, BAg-13a machines more easily (good vs fair).

BAg-1Choose it when weight is the constraint.

BAg-13aChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when the part sees heat.

BAg-1 vs BAg-13a: properties

BAg-1BAg-13a

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

83 GPa12 Msi
95 GPa13.8 Msi

Shear Modulus

31 GPa4.5 Msi
35 GPa5.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

414 MPa60 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

200 MPa29 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

21%
22%

Shear Strength

170 MPa24.7 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

90 HB
100 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

56 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

95 HV
105 HV

Bulk Modulus

—
110 GPa16 Msi

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.36

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

9.3 g/cm³0.34 lb/in³
9.75 g/cm³0.35 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

607°C1,125 °F
771°C1,420 °F

Liquidus Temperature

618°C1,144 °F
893°C1,639 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

100 W/m·K57.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
120 W/m·K69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

280 J/kg·K0.07 BTU/lb·°F
255 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

19 µm/m·K10.6 µin/in·°F
18.5 µm/m·K10.3 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

110 J/g47.3 BTU/lb
140 J/g60.2 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
400°C752 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

22 % IACS
30 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.8×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.07 µΩ·in
5.7×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.24 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.05 V
0.05 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Weldability

15 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

75 / 100
80 / 100

Castability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

98 / 100
95 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

700 MJ/kg300,946 BTU/lb
900 MJ/kg386,931 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

48 kg CO₂/kg
110 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

15,000 L/kg1,797 gal/lb
1,500 L/kg180 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
60%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

45 kN·m/kg
43 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

8.9 MN·m/kg
9.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

241 kJ/m³
232 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

38.4 mm²/s
48.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

26
29

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 scaleBAg-1BAg-13a

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBAg-1BAg-13a
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

BAg-1 vs BAg-13a — frequently asked

What is the difference between BAg-1 and BAg-13a?

Precious Metal BAg-1 and BAg-13a are both precious metal grades. Both yield at about 200 MPa — strength does not separate them. BAg-13a is harder — 100 HB against 90 HB for BAg-1 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads.

Which is cheaper, BAg-1 or BAg-13a?

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, BAg-1 or BAg-13a?

BAg-13a. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (40/100) for BAg-1; for welding the order is BAg-13a first (poor, 20/100) then BAg-1 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BAg-1 and BAg-13a 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.