Precious Metal Pd99.9 vs Pt950/Pt900/Pt850
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal Pd99.9 and Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 are both precious metal grades. Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Pd99.9, about 3.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 400 MPa (58 ksi) vs 180 MPa (26.1 ksi). Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 is harder — 125 HB against 40 HB for Pd99.9 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Pd99.9 is lighter (12.02 g/cm³ vs 20.7 g/cm³ for Pt950/Pt900/Pt850) and Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 is stiffer (175 GPa vs 121 GPa). On the shop floor, Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 welds better (excellent vs very good) and Pd99.9 forms better (95 vs 85 out of 100).
Pd99.9Choose it when weight is the constraint.
Pt950/Pt900/Pt850Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Pd99.9 vs Pt950/Pt900/Pt850: 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)
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.39 · Elongation at Break 35%
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).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) 0.25 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 90 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 28%
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 | Pd99.9 | Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Pd99.9 vs Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 — frequently asked
Is Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 stronger than Pd99.9?
Yes. Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Pd99.9 — about 3.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 400 MPa (58 ksi) vs 180 MPa (26.1 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Pd99.9 or Pt950/Pt900/Pt850?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Pd99.9 or Pt950/Pt900/Pt850?
Pt950/Pt900/Pt850. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for Pd99.9; for welding the order is Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 first (excellent, 90/100) then Pd99.9 (very good, 80/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pd99.9 and Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 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.