Precious Metal Pt90Ir10 vs Pt950/Pt900/Pt850
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal Pt90Ir10 and Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 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 Pt950/Pt900/Pt850, about 11% more. In exchange, Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 27% for Pt90Ir10, and Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 is harder (125 HB vs 105 HB). Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 is lighter (20.7 g/cm³ vs 21.54 g/cm³ for Pt90Ir10) and Pt90Ir10 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 175 GPa). On the shop floor, Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 welds better (excellent vs very good).
Pt90Ir10Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Pt950/Pt900/Pt850Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Pt90Ir10 vs Pt950/Pt900/Pt850: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.39
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,780°C3,236 °F
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).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) 0.25 V · 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
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20%
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
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 | Pt90Ir10 | Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Pt90Ir10 vs Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 — frequently asked
Is Pt90Ir10 stronger than Pt950/Pt900/Pt850?
Yes. Pt90Ir10 has a typical yield strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) against 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) for Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) vs 400 MPa (58 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Pt90Ir10 or Pt950/Pt900/Pt850?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Pt90Ir10 or Pt950/Pt900/Pt850?
Pt950/Pt900/Pt850. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (22/100) for Pt90Ir10; for welding the order is Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 first (excellent, 90/100) then Pt90Ir10 (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pt90Ir10 and Pt950/Pt900/Pt850 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.