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Precious Metal PtRu10 vs Silver 999

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal PtRu10 and Silver 999 are both precious metal grades. PtRu10 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999, about 4.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi). In exchange, Silver 999 is the more ductile: elongation 48% versus 28% for PtRu10, and PtRu10 is harder (133 HB vs 25 HB). Silver 999 is lighter (10.49 g/cm³ vs 20 g/cm³ for PtRu10) and PtRu10 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 76 GPa). On the shop floor, Silver 999 machines more easily (fair vs poor), PtRu10 welds better (very good vs good), and PtRu10 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Silver 999 (specialty, $$$$$).

PtRu10Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Silver 999Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

PtRu10 vs Silver 999: properties

PtRu10Silver 999

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Shear Modulus

75 GPa10.9 Msi
29.5 GPa4.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

255 GPa37 Msi
100 GPa14.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.38
0.37

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

520 MPa75.4 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
55 MPa8 ksi

Elongation at Break

28%
48%

Reduction in Area

55%
85%

Shear Strength

320 MPa46.4 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

133 HB
25 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

76 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

140 HV
27 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

20 g/cm³0.72 lb/in³
10.49 g/cm³0.38 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,780°C3,236 °F
962°C1,763 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,800°C3,272 °F
962°C1,763 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

22 W/m·K12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
429 W/m·K248 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

135 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F
235 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

9 µm/m·K5 µin/in·°F
19.6 µm/m·K10.9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

120 J/g51.6 BTU/lb
105 J/g45.1 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

500°C932 °F
250°C482 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

4 % IACS
106 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

4.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m16.9 µΩ·in
1.59×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.626 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

0.25 V
-0.11 V

Corrosion Resistance

96 / 100
80 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
40 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
55%

Weldability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

75 / 100
98 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
96 / 100

Polishability

90 / 100
98 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

220,000 MJ/kg9.46×10⁷ BTU/lb
1,550 MJ/kg666,381 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13,500 kg CO₂/kg
96 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200,000 L/kg23,965 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

26 kN·m/kg
13 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10 MN·m/kg
7.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

156 kJ/m³
20 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

8.1 mm²/s
174 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

6
40

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 scaleSilver 999PtRu10

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPtRu10Silver 999
Default condition—O
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$$ Specialty
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

PtRu10 vs Silver 999 — frequently asked

Is PtRu10 stronger than Silver 999?

Yes. PtRu10 has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for Silver 999 — about 4.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 140 MPa (20.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, PtRu10 or Silver 999?

PtRu10 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Silver 999 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, PtRu10 or Silver 999?

Silver 999. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (30/100) for PtRu10; for welding the order is PtRu10 first (very good, 70/100) then Silver 999 (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PtRu10 and Silver 999 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.