FabDigitFabDigit

Precious Metal PdNi vs Pt90Ir10

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal PdNi and Pt90Ir10 are both precious metal grades. PdNi is the stronger of the two: yield strength 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for Pt90Ir10, about 19% more; tensile strength follows at 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi). PdNi is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 27% for Pt90Ir10, and PdNi is harder (133 HB vs 105 HB). PdNi is lighter (11.3 g/cm³ vs 21.54 g/cm³ for Pt90Ir10) and Pt90Ir10 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 140 GPa). On the shop floor, Pt90Ir10 welds better (very good vs good).

PdNiChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Pt90Ir10Choose it when the part sees heat, or when it will be welded.

PdNi vs Pt90Ir10: properties

PdNiPt90Ir10

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
200 GPa29 Msi

Shear Modulus

53 GPa7.7 Msi
72 GPa10.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

185 GPa26.8 Msi
255 GPa37 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.35
0.39

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
27%

Shear Strength

350 MPa50.8 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
—

Hardness, Brinell

133 HB
105 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

76 HRB
62 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

140 HV
110 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

11.3 g/cm³0.41 lb/in³
21.54 g/cm³0.78 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,275°C2,327 °F
1,780°C3,236 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,305°C2,381 °F
1,800°C3,272 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

25 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
31 W/m·K17.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

285 J/kg·K0.07 BTU/lb·°F
133 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
8.8 µm/m·K4.9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

185 J/g79.5 BTU/lb
118 J/g50.7 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

600°C1,112 °F
1,200°C2,192 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-269°C-452 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

5.2 % IACS
6.9 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m13 µΩ·in
2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

0.2 V
0.25 V

Corrosion Resistance

85 / 100
99 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

28 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
20%

Weldability

60 / 100
75 / 100

Formability (cold)

75 / 100
80 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
40 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
92 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

58,000 MJ/kg2.49×10⁷ BTU/lb
250,000 MJ/kg1.07×10⁸ BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3,100 kg CO₂/kg
14,500 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

120,000 L/kg14,379 gal/lb
260,000 L/kg31,155 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

49 kN·m/kg
18 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.4 MN·m/kg
9.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

223 kJ/m³
110 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

7.8 mm²/s
10.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
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 scalePt90Ir10PdNi

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPdNiPt90Ir10
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

PdNi vs Pt90Ir10 — frequently asked

Is PdNi stronger than Pt90Ir10?

Yes. PdNi has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for Pt90Ir10 — about 19% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, PdNi 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, PdNi or Pt90Ir10?

PdNi, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 22/100 for Pt90Ir10; for welding the order is Pt90Ir10 first (very good, 75/100) then PdNi (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PdNi 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.