Precious Metal BAu-4 vs BVAu-3
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal BAu-4 and BVAu-3 are both precious metal grades. BVAu-3 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) for BAu-4, about 22% more. BAu-4 is harder — 150 HV against 125 HV for BVAu-3 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BVAu-3 is lighter (11.1 g/cm³ vs 15.9 g/cm³ for BAu-4) and BAu-4 runs hotter in service (800°C vs 500°C continuous). On the shop floor, BAu-4 welds better (fair vs poor).
BAu-4Choose it when surface hardness matters, or when the part sees heat.
BVAu-3Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
BAu-4 vs BVAu-3: 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.
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Shear Strength
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 105 GPa15.2 Msi · Shear Modulus 39 GPa5.7 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.35 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 210 MPa30.5 ksi · Elongation at Break 25%
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 -269°C-452 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 35 / 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)
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Modulus of Resilience 210 kJ/m³
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 | BAu-4 | BVAu-3 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
BAu-4 vs BVAu-3 — frequently asked
Is BVAu-3 stronger than BAu-4?
Yes. BVAu-3 has a typical tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) for BAu-4 — about 22% more.
Which is cheaper, BAu-4 or BVAu-3?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, BAu-4 or BVAu-3?
BAu-4. Its weldability rates fair (40/100) against poor (30/100) for BVAu-3.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BAu-4 and BVAu-3 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.