Precious Metal Pd950/Pd500 vs Pt99.95
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal Pd950/Pd500 and Pt99.95 are both precious metal grades. Pd950/Pd500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for Pt99.95, about 3.3 times as much; tensile strength follows at 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi). In exchange, Pt99.95 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 30% for Pd950/Pd500, and Pd950/Pd500 is harder (95 HB vs 39 HB). Pd950/Pd500 is lighter (12 g/cm³ vs 21.45 g/cm³ for Pt99.95) and Pt99.95 is stiffer (168 GPa vs 120 GPa). On the shop floor, Pd950/Pd500 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Pt99.95 welds better (excellent vs very good).
Pd950/Pd500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Pt99.95Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Pd950/Pd500 vs Pt99.95: 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
Poisson's Ratio
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
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 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 55 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 80 / 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 | Pt99.95 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Pd950/Pd500 vs Pt99.95 — frequently asked
Is Pd950/Pd500 stronger than Pt99.95?
Yes. Pd950/Pd500 has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for Pt99.95 — about 3.3 times as much. Tensile strength is 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Pd950/Pd500 or Pt99.95?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 Pt99.95?
Pd950/Pd500. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (25/100) for Pt99.95; for welding the order is Pt99.95 first (excellent, 90/100) then Pd950/Pd500 (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pd950/Pd500 and Pt99.95 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.