Precious Metal Pure Pd vs Silver 999
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal Pure Pd and Silver 999 are both precious metal grades. Pure Pd is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for Silver 999, about 29% more. In exchange, Silver 999 is the more ductile: elongation 48% versus 32% for Pure Pd, and Pure Pd is harder (38 HB vs 25 HB). Silver 999 is lighter (10.49 g/cm³ vs 12.02 g/cm³ for Pure Pd) and Pure Pd is stiffer (121 GPa vs 76 GPa). On the shop floor, Pure Pd welds better (excellent vs good) and Pure Pd sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Silver 999 (specialty, $$$$$).
Pure PdChoose 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.
Pure Pd vs Silver 999: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Same in both: Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 55 MPa8 ksi
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Embodied Water
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 | Pure Pd | Silver 999 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Pure Pd vs Silver 999 — frequently asked
Is Pure Pd stronger than Silver 999?
Yes. Pure Pd has a typical tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for Silver 999 — about 29% more.
Which is cheaper, Pure Pd or Silver 999?
Pure Pd is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Silver 999 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, Pure Pd or Silver 999?
Silver 999, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 40/100 against 35/100 for Pure Pd; for welding the order is Pure Pd first (excellent, 85/100) then Silver 999 (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pure Pd 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.