Precious Metal PdCu vs Pt90Ir10
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal PdCu and Pt90Ir10 are both precious metal grades. PdCu is the stronger of the two: yield strength 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for Pt90Ir10, about 14% more; tensile strength follows at 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi). PdCu is harder — 130 HB against 105 HB for Pt90Ir10 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. PdCu is lighter (10.4 g/cm³ vs 21.54 g/cm³ for Pt90Ir10) and Pt90Ir10 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 130 GPa). On the shop floor, Pt90Ir10 welds better (very good vs good).
PdCuChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Pt90Ir10Choose it when the part sees heat, or when it will be welded.
PdCu 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell B
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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | PdCu | Pt90Ir10 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
PdCu vs Pt90Ir10 — frequently asked
Is PdCu stronger than Pt90Ir10?
Yes. PdCu has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for Pt90Ir10 — about 14% more. Tensile strength is 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi).
Which is cheaper, PdCu or Pt90Ir10?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, PdCu or Pt90Ir10?
PdCu, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 22/100 for Pt90Ir10; for welding the order is Pt90Ir10 first (very good, 75/100) then PdCu (good, 65/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PdCu 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.