Precious Metal BAg-13a vs BVAg-31
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal BAg-13a and BVAg-31 are both precious metal grades. BVAg-31 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for BAg-13a, about 14% more. BVAg-31 is harder — 110 HB against 100 HB for BAg-13a — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BAg-13a is lighter (9.75 g/cm³ vs 10.1 g/cm³ for BVAg-31) and BVAg-31 is stiffer (100 GPa vs 95 GPa). On the shop floor, BAg-13a machines more easily (good vs fair) and BVAg-31 welds better (30 vs 20 out of 100).
BAg-13aChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
BVAg-31Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
BAg-13a vs BVAg-31: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 420 MPa60.9 ksi · Elongation at Break 22%
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 -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
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
Weldability
Polishability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Same in both: Formability (cold) 80 / 100 · Castability 70 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 95 / 100
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 | BAg-13a | BVAg-31 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
BAg-13a vs BVAg-31 — frequently asked
Is BVAg-31 stronger than BAg-13a?
Yes. BVAg-31 has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for BAg-13a — about 14% more. Tensile strength is 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) vs 420 MPa (60.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, BAg-13a or BVAg-31?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, BAg-13a or BVAg-31?
BAg-13a. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (40/100) for BVAg-31; for welding the order is BVAg-31 first (poor, 30/100) then BAg-13a (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BAg-13a 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.