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Precious Metal Pt87Rh13 vs Pt95Ir5

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal Pt87Rh13 and Pt95Ir5 are both precious metal grades. Pt87Rh13 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) against 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) for Pt95Ir5, about 52% more; tensile strength follows at 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi). Pt87Rh13 is harder — 85 HB against 76 HB for Pt95Ir5 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Pt87Rh13 is lighter (19.6 g/cm³ vs 21.5 g/cm³ for Pt95Ir5) and Pt87Rh13 is stiffer (205 GPa vs 175 GPa).

Pt87Rh13Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Pt87Rh13 vs Pt95Ir5: properties

Pt87Rh13Pt95Ir5

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
175 GPa25.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

75 GPa10.9 Msi
63 GPa9.1 Msi

Bulk Modulus

285 GPa41.3 Msi
235 GPa34.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

190 MPa27.6 ksi
125 MPa18.1 ksi

Shear Strength

230 MPa33.4 ksi
175 MPa25.4 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

85 HB
76 HB

Hardness, Vickers

90 HV
80 HV

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.39 · Elongation at Break 32%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

19.6 g/cm³0.71 lb/in³
21.5 g/cm³0.78 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,860°C3,380 °F
1,779°C3,234 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,885°C3,425 °F
1,790°C3,254 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

31 W/m·K17.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
43 W/m·K24.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

8.9 µm/m·K4.9 µin/in·°F
9 µm/m·K5 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

118 J/g50.7 BTU/lb
113 J/g48.6 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,000°C1,832 °F

Min Service Temperature

-250°C-418 °F
-253°C-423 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8.8 % IACS
9.1 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.96×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.72 µΩ·in
1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.48 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

0.3 V
0.25 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 99 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
28 / 100

Weldability

80 / 100
85 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
92 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
92 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
25%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

300,000 MJ/kg1.29×10⁸ BTU/lb
250,000 MJ/kg1.07×10⁸ BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

22,000 kg CO₂/kg
14,000 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

50%
40%

Embodied Water

—
200,000 L/kg23,965 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

19 kN·m/kg
12 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.5 MN·m/kg
8.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

88 kJ/m³
45 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.7 mm²/s
15 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

6
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 scalePt95Ir5Pt87Rh13

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPt87Rh13Pt95Ir5
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Pt87Rh13 vs Pt95Ir5 — frequently asked

Is Pt87Rh13 stronger than Pt95Ir5?

Yes. Pt87Rh13 has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) against 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) for Pt95Ir5 — about 52% more. Tensile strength is 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Pt87Rh13 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 is easier to machine, Pt87Rh13 or Pt95Ir5?

Pt87Rh13. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (28/100) for Pt95Ir5; for welding the order is Pt95Ir5 first (excellent, 85/100) then Pt87Rh13 (very good, 80/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pt87Rh13 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.