Precious Metal BAg-18 vs BAg-2a
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal BAg-18 and BAg-2a are both precious metal grades. BAg-2a is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for BAg-18, about 5% more. BAg-18 is harder — 95 HB against 85 HB for BAg-2a — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BAg-2a is lighter (9.4 g/cm³ vs 9.9 g/cm³ for BAg-18) and BAg-2a is stiffer (90 GPa vs 85 GPa). On the shop floor, BAg-2a machines more easily (45 vs 35 out of 100).
BAg-18Choose it when surface hardness matters.
BAg-2aChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
BAg-18 vs BAg-2a: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Bulk Modulus
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.36 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 210 MPa30.5 ksi · Elongation at Break 28%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 75 W/m·K43.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 62 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Same in both: Weldability 20 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 95 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 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
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | BAg-18 | BAg-2a |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
BAg-18 vs BAg-2a — frequently asked
Is BAg-2a stronger than BAg-18?
Yes. BAg-2a has a typical tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for BAg-18 — about 5% more.
Which is cheaper, BAg-18 or BAg-2a?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, BAg-18 or BAg-2a?
BAg-2a, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 35/100 for BAg-18.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BAg-18 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.