Precious Metal Gold 18K vs Pt950
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal Gold 18K and Pt950 are both precious metal grades, both jewelry precious metal. Gold 18K is the stronger of the two: yield strength 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) for Pt950, about 54% more; tensile strength follows at 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi). Gold 18K is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for Pt950, and Gold 18K is harder (140 HB vs 105 HB). Gold 18K is lighter (15.5 g/cm³ vs 20.1 g/cm³ for Pt950) and Pt950 is stiffer (172 GPa vs 78 GPa). On the shop floor, Gold 18K machines more easily (good vs poor).
Gold 18KChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Pt950Choose it when the part sees heat.
Gold 18K vs Pt950: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.39
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)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 85 / 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 | Gold 18K | Pt950 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | O | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Gold 18K vs Pt950 — frequently asked
Is Gold 18K stronger than Pt950?
Yes. Gold 18K has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) for Pt950 — about 54% more. Tensile strength is 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Gold 18K or Pt950?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$$, specialty); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Gold 18K or Pt950?
Gold 18K. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against poor (30/100) for Pt950.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Gold 18K and Pt950 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.