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Precious Metal Pd99.9 vs Pt99.95

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal Pd99.9 and Pt99.95 are both precious metal grades. Pd99.9 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for Pt99.95, about 22% more; tensile strength follows at 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi). In exchange, Pt99.95 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for Pd99.9. Pd99.9 is lighter (12.02 g/cm³ vs 21.45 g/cm³ for Pt99.95) and Pt99.95 is stiffer (168 GPa vs 121 GPa). On the shop floor, Pt99.95 welds better (excellent vs very good).

Pd99.9Choose 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.

Pd99.9 vs Pt99.95: properties

Pd99.9Pt99.95

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

121 GPa17.5 Msi
168 GPa24.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
61 GPa8.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

180 GPa26.1 Msi
230 GPa33.4 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.39
0.38

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

180 MPa26.1 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

55 MPa8 ksi
45 MPa6.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
40%

Reduction in Area

70%
90%

Shear Strength

125 MPa18.1 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
—

Hardness, Brinell

40 HB
39 HB

Hardness, Vickers

40 HV
41 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

12.02 g/cm³0.43 lb/in³
21.45 g/cm³0.77 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,555°C2,831 °F
1,768°C3,214 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,555°C2,831 °F
1,768°C3,214 °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
71.6 W/m·K41.4 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
8.8 µm/m·K4.9 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
1,500°C2,732 °F

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

16 % IACS
16.3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.08×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.25 µΩ·in
1.06×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.17 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

92 / 100
100 / 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
25 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
25%

Weldability

80 / 100
90 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
98 / 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
210,000 MJ/kg9.03×10⁷ 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%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

15 kN·m/kg
7 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.1 MN·m/kg
7.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

13 kJ/m³
6 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

24.5 mm²/s
25.1 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 scalePt99.95Pd99.9

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPd99.9Pt99.95
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Pd99.9 vs Pt99.95 — frequently asked

Is Pd99.9 stronger than Pt99.95?

Yes. Pd99.9 has a typical yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for Pt99.95 — about 22% more. Tensile strength is 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Pd99.9 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, Pd99.9 or Pt99.95?

Pd99.9, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for Pt99.95; for welding the order is Pt99.95 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 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.