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Precious Metal BAg-1 vs BAg-2a

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal BAg-1 and BAg-2a are both precious metal grades. Both yield at about 200 MPa — strength does not separate them. BAg-2a is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 21% for BAg-1, and BAg-1 is harder (90 HB vs 85 HB). BAg-2a is stiffer (90 GPa vs 83 GPa) and BAg-1 conducts heat better (100 W/m·K vs 75 W/m·K).

BAg-2aChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

BAg-1 vs BAg-2a: properties

BAg-1BAg-2a

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

83 GPa12 Msi
90 GPa13.1 Msi

Shear Modulus

31 GPa4.5 Msi
33 GPa4.8 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

414 MPa60 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

200 MPa29 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

21%
28%

Shear Strength

170 MPa24.7 ksi
175 MPa25.4 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

90 HB
85 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

56 HRB
—

Bulk Modulus

—
95 GPa13.8 Msi

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.36 · Hardness, Vickers 95 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

9.3 g/cm³0.34 lb/in³
9.4 g/cm³0.34 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

618°C1,144 °F
710°C1,310 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 607°C1,125 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

100 W/m·K57.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
75 W/m·K43.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

110 J/g47.3 BTU/lb
120 J/g51.6 BTU/lb

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 280 J/kg·K0.07 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 19 µm/m·K10.6 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

22 % IACS
20 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.8×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.07 µΩ·in
8.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.39 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
62 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.05 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
45 / 100

Weldability

15 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

75 / 100
80 / 100

Castability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

98 / 100
95 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

700 MJ/kg300,946 BTU/lb
600 MJ/kg257,954 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

48 kg CO₂/kg
45 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

15,000 L/kg1,797 gal/lb
2,500 L/kg300 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
45%

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
9.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

241 kJ/m³
245 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

38.4 mm²/s
28.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

26
18

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-2a

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBAg-1BAg-2a
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

BAg-1 vs BAg-2a — frequently asked

What is the difference between BAg-1 and BAg-2a?

Precious Metal BAg-1 and BAg-2a are both precious metal grades. Both yield at about 200 MPa — strength does not separate them. BAg-2a is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 21% for BAg-1, and BAg-1 is harder (90 HB vs 85 HB).

Which is cheaper, BAg-1 or BAg-2a?

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-2a?

BAg-2a, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for BAg-1; for welding the order is BAg-2a 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-2a 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.