FabDigitFabDigit

Precious Metal Pd99.9 vs Pt95Ir5

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal Pd99.9 and Pt95Ir5 are both precious metal grades. Pt95Ir5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Pd99.9, about 127% more; tensile strength follows at 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) vs 180 MPa (26.1 ksi). Pt95Ir5 is harder — 76 HB against 40 HB for Pd99.9 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Pd99.9 is lighter (12.02 g/cm³ vs 21.5 g/cm³ for Pt95Ir5) and Pt95Ir5 is stiffer (175 GPa vs 121 GPa).

Pd99.9Choose it when weight is the constraint.

Pt95Ir5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Pd99.9 vs Pt95Ir5: properties

Pd99.9Pt95Ir5

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

121 GPa17.5 Msi
175 GPa25.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
63 GPa9.1 Msi

Bulk Modulus

180 GPa26.1 Msi
235 GPa34.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

180 MPa26.1 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

55 MPa8 ksi
125 MPa18.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
32%

Reduction in Area

70%
—

Shear Strength

125 MPa18.1 ksi
175 MPa25.4 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

40 HB
76 HB

Hardness, Vickers

40 HV
80 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.39

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

12.02 g/cm³0.43 lb/in³
21.5 g/cm³0.78 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,555°C2,831 °F
1,779°C3,234 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,555°C2,831 °F
1,790°C3,254 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

71.8 W/m·K41.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
43 W/m·K24.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

244 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F
133 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.8 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
9 µm/m·K5 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

157 J/g67.5 BTU/lb
113 J/g48.6 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

500°C932 °F
1,000°C1,832 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -253°C-423 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

16 % IACS
9.1 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.08×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.25 µΩ·in
1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.48 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

92 / 100
99 / 100

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

30 / 100
28 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
25%

Weldability

80 / 100
85 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
92 / 100

Castability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

90 / 100
92 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60,000 MJ/kg2.58×10⁷ BTU/lb
250,000 MJ/kg1.07×10⁸ BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3,900 kg CO₂/kg
14,000 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250,000 L/kg29,957 gal/lb
200,000 L/kg23,965 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

28%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

15 kN·m/kg
12 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.1 MN·m/kg
8.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

13 kJ/m³
45 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

24.5 mm²/s
15 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
7

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.

50100200500101520Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePd99.9Pt95Ir5

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPd99.9Pt95Ir5
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Pd99.9 vs Pt95Ir5 — frequently asked

Is Pt95Ir5 stronger than Pd99.9?

Yes. Pt95Ir5 has a typical yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Pd99.9 — about 127% more. Tensile strength is 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) vs 180 MPa (26.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Pd99.9 or Pt95Ir5?

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, Pd99.9 or Pt95Ir5?

Pt95Ir5. Its weldability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (80/100) for Pd99.9.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pd99.9 and Pt95Ir5 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.