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Precious Metal Pt90Ir10 vs Pt95Co5

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal Pt90Ir10 and Pt95Co5 are both precious metal grades. Pt95Co5 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 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi). In exchange, Pt90Ir10 is the more ductile: elongation 27% versus 20% for Pt95Co5, and Pt95Co5 is harder (128 HB vs 105 HB). Pt95Co5 is lighter (20 g/cm³ vs 21.54 g/cm³ for Pt90Ir10) and Pt90Ir10 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 168 GPa). On the shop floor, Pt95Co5 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Pt95Co5 welds better (excellent vs very good).

Pt90Ir10Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

Pt95Co5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

Pt90Ir10 vs Pt95Co5: properties

Pt90Ir10Pt95Co5

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
168 GPa24.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

72 GPa10.4 Msi
62 GPa9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

255 GPa37 Msi
240 GPa34.8 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

210 MPa30.5 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

27%
20%

Shear Strength

240 MPa34.8 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

105 HB
128 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

62 HRB
73 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

110 HV
135 HV

Reduction in Area

—
25%

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
40 J29.5 ft·lbf

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.39

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

21.54 g/cm³0.78 lb/in³
20 g/cm³0.72 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,780°C3,236 °F
1,745°C3,173 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,800°C3,272 °F
1,765°C3,209 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

31 W/m·K17.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
35 W/m·K20.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

8.8 µm/m·K4.9 µin/in·°F
9.2 µm/m·K5.1 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

118 J/g50.7 BTU/lb
110 J/g47.3 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,200°C2,192 °F
800°C1,472 °F

Min Service Temperature

-269°C-452 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

6.9 % IACS
7 % IACS

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

99 / 100
96 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) 0.25 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

22 / 100
35 / 100

Weldability

75 / 100
85 / 100

Formability (cold)

80 / 100
55 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

92 / 100
85 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

14,500 kg CO₂/kg
13,000 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

260,000 L/kg31,155 gal/lb
250,000 L/kg29,957 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
35%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 250,000 MJ/kg1.07×10⁸ BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

18 kN·m/kg
24 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

9.3 MN·m/kg
8.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

110 kJ/m³
186 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

10.8 mm²/s
13 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

7
11

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 scalePt90Ir10Pt95Co5

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPt90Ir10Pt95Co5
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Pt90Ir10 vs Pt95Co5 — frequently asked

Is Pt95Co5 stronger than Pt90Ir10?

Yes. Pt95Co5 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 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Pt90Ir10 or Pt95Co5?

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 Pt95Co5?

Pt95Co5. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (22/100) for Pt90Ir10; for welding the order is Pt95Co5 first (excellent, 85/100) then Pt90Ir10 (very good, 75/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pt90Ir10 and Pt95Co5 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.