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Precious Metal BAg-1 vs BVAg-31

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal BAg-1 and BVAg-31 are both precious metal grades. BVAg-31 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 200 MPa (29 ksi) for BAg-1, about 20% more. BVAg-31 is harder — 110 HB against 90 HB for BAg-1 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BAg-1 is lighter (9.3 g/cm³ vs 10.1 g/cm³ for BVAg-31) and BVAg-31 is stiffer (100 GPa vs 83 GPa). On the shop floor, BVAg-31 welds better (30 vs 15 out of 100).

BAg-1Choose it when weight is the constraint.

BVAg-31Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

BAg-1 vs BVAg-31: properties

BAg-1BVAg-31

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

83 GPa12 Msi
100 GPa14.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

31 GPa4.5 Msi
37 GPa5.4 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.36
0.37

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

414 MPa60 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

200 MPa29 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

21%
22%

Shear Strength

170 MPa24.7 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

90 HB
110 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

56 HRB
62 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

95 HV
115 HV

Bulk Modulus

—
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Reduction in Area

—
35%

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

9.3 g/cm³0.34 lb/in³
10.1 g/cm³0.36 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

607°C1,125 °F
824°C1,515 °F

Liquidus Temperature

618°C1,144 °F
852°C1,566 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

100 W/m·K57.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
70 W/m·K40.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

110 J/g47.3 BTU/lb
130 J/g55.9 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
450°C842 °F

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

22 % IACS
11 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.8×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.07 µΩ·in
1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.05 V
0.05 V

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
82 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

15 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

75 / 100
80 / 100

Castability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

98 / 100
95 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
80 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
35%

Same in both: Machinability 40 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

700 MJ/kg300,946 BTU/lb
4,400 MJ/kg1,891,661 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

48 kg CO₂/kg
420 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

15,000 L/kg1,797 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

40%
50%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

45 kN·m/kg
42 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

8.9 MN·m/kg
9.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

241 kJ/m³
288 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

38.4 mm²/s
26.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

26
16

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-1BVAg-31

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBAg-1BVAg-31
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

BAg-1 vs BVAg-31 — frequently asked

Is BVAg-31 stronger than BAg-1?

Yes. BVAg-31 has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 200 MPa (29 ksi) for BAg-1 — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) vs 414 MPa (60 ksi).

Which is cheaper, BAg-1 or BVAg-31?

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 welds better, BAg-1 or BVAg-31?

BVAg-31. Its weldability rates poor (30/100) against poor (15/100) for BAg-1.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BAg-1 and BVAg-31 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.