Precious Metal Pd950/Pd500 vs Pt90Ir10
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal Pd950/Pd500 and Pt90Ir10 are both precious metal grades. Pt90Ir10 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for Pd950/Pd500, about 40% more; tensile strength follows at 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) vs 320 MPa (46.4 ksi). In exchange, Pd950/Pd500 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 27% for Pt90Ir10, and Pt90Ir10 is harder (105 HB vs 95 HB). Pd950/Pd500 is lighter (12 g/cm³ vs 21.54 g/cm³ for Pt90Ir10) and Pt90Ir10 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 120 GPa). On the shop floor, Pd950/Pd500 machines more easily (fair vs poor).
Pd950/Pd500Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Pt90Ir10Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Pd950/Pd500 vs Pt90Ir10: 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
Reduction in Area
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 75 / 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 | Pd950/Pd500 | Pt90Ir10 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Pd950/Pd500 vs Pt90Ir10 — frequently asked
Is Pt90Ir10 stronger than Pd950/Pd500?
Yes. Pt90Ir10 has a typical yield strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for Pd950/Pd500 — about 40% more. Tensile strength is 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) vs 320 MPa (46.4 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Pd950/Pd500 or Pt90Ir10?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Pd950/Pd500 or Pt90Ir10?
Pd950/Pd500. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (22/100) for Pt90Ir10.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pd950/Pd500 and Pt90Ir10 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.