FabDigitFabDigit

Precious Metal BAu-2 vs BVAu-7

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal BAu-2 and BVAu-7 are both precious metal grades. BVAu-7 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for BAu-2, about 11% more. In exchange, BAu-2 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 25% for BVAu-7, and BAu-2 is harder (145 HV vs 110 HV). BVAu-7 is lighter (12.2 g/cm³ vs 15.9 g/cm³ for BAu-2) and BVAu-7 is stiffer (95 GPa vs 90 GPa). On the shop floor, BAu-2 welds better (good vs poor).

BAu-2Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

BVAu-7Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

BAu-2 vs BVAu-7: properties

BAu-2BVAu-7

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

90 GPa13.1 Msi
95 GPa13.8 Msi

Shear Modulus

33 GPa4.8 Msi
36 GPa5.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

150 GPa21.8 Msi
145 GPa21 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.38
0.35

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
25%

Reduction in Area

45%
—

Shear Strength

235 MPa34.1 ksi
260 MPa37.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
—

Hardness, Brinell

138 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

77 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

145 HV
110 HV

Same in both: Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 200 MPa29 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

15.9 g/cm³0.57 lb/in³
12.2 g/cm³0.44 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

889°C1,632 °F
970°C1,778 °F

Liquidus Temperature

889°C1,632 °F
990°C1,814 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
65 W/m·K37.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

175 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F
255 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

80 J/g34.4 BTU/lb
130 J/g55.9 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
425°C797 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 15.5 µm/m·K8.6 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -269°C-452 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

14 % IACS
15 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.25×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.92 µΩ·in
1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

0.25 V
0.05 V

Corrosion Resistance

95 / 100
76 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
—

Weldability

55 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
80 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

98 / 100
97 / 100

Polishability

90 / 100
88 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 35 / 100 · Castability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

210,000 MJ/kg9.03×10⁷ BTU/lb
130,000 MJ/kg5.59×10⁷ BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

15,000 kg CO₂/kg
9,000 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200,000 L/kg23,965 gal/lb
130,000 L/kg15,577 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

85%
55%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

24 kN·m/kg
34 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

5.7 MN·m/kg
7.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

222 kJ/m³
211 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

18 mm²/s
20.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

14
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 scaleBAu-2BVAu-7

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBAu-2BVAu-7
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

BAu-2 vs BVAu-7 — frequently asked

Is BVAu-7 stronger than BAu-2?

Yes. BVAu-7 has a typical tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for BAu-2 — about 11% more.

Which is cheaper, BAu-2 or BVAu-7?

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, BAu-2 or BVAu-7?

BAu-2. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against poor (30/100) for BVAu-7.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BAu-2 and BVAu-7 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.