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Precious Metal Pt87Rh13 vs Pt99.95

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal Pt87Rh13 and Pt99.95 are both precious metal grades. Pt87Rh13 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for Pt99.95, about 4.2 times as much; tensile strength follows at 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi). In exchange, Pt99.95 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 32% for Pt87Rh13, and Pt87Rh13 is harder (85 HB vs 39 HB). Pt87Rh13 is lighter (19.6 g/cm³ vs 21.45 g/cm³ for Pt99.95) and Pt87Rh13 is stiffer (205 GPa vs 168 GPa). On the shop floor, Pt87Rh13 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Pt99.95 welds better (excellent vs very good).

Pt87Rh13Choose 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 it will be welded.

Pt87Rh13 vs Pt99.95: properties

Pt87Rh13Pt99.95

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
168 GPa24.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

75 GPa10.9 Msi
61 GPa8.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

285 GPa41.3 Msi
230 GPa33.4 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.39
0.38

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

190 MPa27.6 ksi
45 MPa6.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

32%
40%

Shear Strength

230 MPa33.4 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

85 HB
39 HB

Hardness, Vickers

90 HV
41 HV

Reduction in Area

—
90%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

19.6 g/cm³0.71 lb/in³
21.45 g/cm³0.77 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,860°C3,380 °F
1,768°C3,214 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,885°C3,425 °F
1,768°C3,214 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

31 W/m·K17.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
71.6 W/m·K41.4 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
8.8 µm/m·K4.9 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
1,500°C2,732 °F

Min Service Temperature

-250°C-418 °F
-253°C-423 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8.8 % IACS
16.3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.96×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.72 µΩ·in
1.06×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.17 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

0.3 V
0.25 V

Corrosion Resistance

99 / 100
100 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
25 / 100

Weldability

80 / 100
90 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
98 / 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
210,000 MJ/kg9.03×10⁷ BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

22,000 kg CO₂/kg
14,000 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

50%
30%

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
7 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.5 MN·m/kg
7.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

88 kJ/m³
6 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.7 mm²/s
25.1 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 scalePt99.95Pt87Rh13

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPt87Rh13Pt99.95
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Pt87Rh13 vs Pt99.95 — frequently asked

Is Pt87Rh13 stronger than Pt99.95?

Yes. Pt87Rh13 has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for Pt99.95 — about 4.2 times as much. Tensile strength is 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Pt87Rh13 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, Pt87Rh13 or Pt99.95?

Pt87Rh13. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for Pt99.95; for welding the order is Pt99.95 first (excellent, 90/100) then Pt87Rh13 (very good, 80/100).

Ready to make it?

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