Precious Metal Pt90Rh10 vs Pt95Ir5
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal Pt90Rh10 and Pt95Ir5 are both precious metal grades. Pt90Rh10 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) against 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) for Pt95Ir5, about 36% more; tensile strength follows at 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi). Pt90Rh10 is harder — 88 HB against 76 HB for Pt95Ir5 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Pt90Rh10 is lighter (19.97 g/cm³ vs 21.5 g/cm³ for Pt95Ir5) and Pt90Rh10 is stiffer (193 GPa vs 175 GPa). On the shop floor, Pt95Ir5 welds better (excellent vs very good).
Pt90Rh10Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Pt95Ir5Choose it when it will be welded.
Pt90Rh10 vs Pt95Ir5: 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, Vickers
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.39
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 9 µm/m·K5 µin/in·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 9.1 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.48 µΩ·in
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 92 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 14,000 kg CO₂/kg
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 | Pt90Rh10 | Pt95Ir5 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Pt90Rh10 vs Pt95Ir5 — frequently asked
Is Pt90Rh10 stronger than Pt95Ir5?
Yes. Pt90Rh10 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) against 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) for Pt95Ir5 — about 36% more. Tensile strength is 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Pt90Rh10 or Pt95Ir5?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Pt90Rh10 or Pt95Ir5?
Pt95Ir5, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 22/100 for Pt90Rh10; for welding the order is Pt95Ir5 first (excellent, 85/100) then Pt90Rh10 (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pt90Rh10 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.