Precious Metal Pt87Rh13 vs Pt90Ir10
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal Pt87Rh13 and Pt90Ir10 are both precious metal grades. Pt90Ir10 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) against 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) for Pt87Rh13, about 11% more. In exchange, Pt87Rh13 is the more ductile: elongation 32% versus 27% for Pt90Ir10, and Pt90Ir10 is harder (105 HB vs 85 HB). Pt87Rh13 is lighter (19.6 g/cm³ vs 21.54 g/cm³ for Pt90Ir10) and Pt87Rh13 runs hotter in service (1,400°C vs 1,200°C continuous). On the shop floor, Pt87Rh13 machines more easily (fair vs poor).
Pt87Rh13Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Pt90Ir10Choose it when strength drives the design.
Pt87Rh13 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
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.39 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 380 MPa55.1 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 31 W/m·K17.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 118 J/g50.7 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 99 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Embodied Water
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 | Pt87Rh13 | Pt90Ir10 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Pt87Rh13 vs Pt90Ir10 — frequently asked
Is Pt90Ir10 stronger than Pt87Rh13?
Yes. Pt90Ir10 has a typical yield strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) against 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) for Pt87Rh13 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Pt87Rh13 or Pt90Ir10?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Pt87Rh13 or Pt90Ir10?
Pt87Rh13. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (22/100) for Pt90Ir10; for welding the order is Pt87Rh13 first (very good, 80/100) then Pt90Ir10 (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pt87Rh13 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.