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Precious Metal BAg-21 vs BAg-27

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal BAg-21 and BAg-27 are both precious metal grades. BAg-21 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for BAg-27, about 20% more; tensile strength follows at 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) vs 400 MPa (58 ksi). In exchange, BAg-27 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 20% for BAg-21, and BAg-21 is harder (118 HB vs 90 HB). BAg-27 is lighter (9 g/cm³ vs 9.8 g/cm³ for BAg-21) and BAg-21 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, BAg-27 machines more easily (45 vs 35 out of 100).

BAg-21Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

BAg-27Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

BAg-21 vs BAg-27: properties

BAg-21BAg-27

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

31 GPa4.5 Msi
32 GPa4.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

100 GPa14.5 Msi
105 GPa15.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

450 MPa65.3 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
25%

Shear Strength

260 MPa37.7 ksi
190 MPa27.6 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

118 HB
90 HB

Hardness, Vickers

125 HV
95 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
55 HRB

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 85 GPa12.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.36

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

9.8 g/cm³0.35 lb/in³
9 g/cm³0.33 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

691°C1,276 °F
605°C1,121 °F

Liquidus Temperature

802°C1,476 °F
745°C1,373 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

65 W/m·K37.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
75 W/m·K43.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

250 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F
330 J/kg·K0.08 BTU/lb·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

105 J/g45.1 BTU/lb
135 J/g58 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
200°C392 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 18.5 µm/m·K10.3 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

13 % IACS
19 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.33×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.24 µΩ·in
9.1×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.58 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

0.05 V
-0.12 V

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
80 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

92 / 100
95 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 20 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

1,100 MJ/kg472,915 BTU/lb
440 MJ/kg189,166 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

90 kg CO₂/kg
40 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

1,800 L/kg216 gal/lb
1,500 L/kg180 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

46 kN·m/kg
44 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

8.7 MN·m/kg
9.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

529 kJ/m³
368 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

26.5 mm²/s
25.3 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 19

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-21BAg-27

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBAg-21BAg-27
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

BAg-21 vs BAg-27 — frequently asked

Is BAg-21 stronger than BAg-27?

Yes. BAg-21 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for BAg-27 — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) vs 400 MPa (58 ksi).

Which is cheaper, BAg-21 or BAg-27?

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-21 or BAg-27?

BAg-27, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 35/100 for BAg-21.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BAg-21 and BAg-27 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.