Precious Metal Pd950/Pd500-Pd990
Grade
GB 11887 · ISO 9202
Choose the highest-purity annealed grade of GB/T 11887 for plain bands and investment pieces: best whiteness and tarnish resistance, but very soft and easily scratched.
Values for the Pd990 condition
Other Pd950/Pd500 tempers and conditions
Pd950/Pd500 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at Pd950/Pd500.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pd990This page 990 | Choose the highest-purity annealed grade of GB/T 11887 for plain bands and investment pieces: best whiteness and tarnish resistance, but very soft and easily scratched. | 70 | 200 | 35 | 50 HV | 15.5 % IACS |
Pd950-ODefault Pd950 Annealed | Choose this annealed soft state, the most commonly stocked one, for sheet, wire and tube that must be bent, stone-set and hand-formed; yield is only 150 MPa. | 150 | 320 | 30 | 95 HB | 11 % IACS |
Pd950 As-Cast | Use for lost-wax cast ring and pendant blanks; cast under vacuum or inert atmosphere to avoid hydrogen pickup and oxidation, and accept elongation limited to 18%. | 160 | 300 | 18 | 105 HB | 11 % IACS |
Pd500 Annealed | Choose the annealed 50% palladium alloy for high-volume plain chain and findings at lower cost; tarnish resistance and whiteness are below the 950 grade. | 200 | 400 | 25 | 125 HV | 4.3 % IACS |
900 | Use this annealed Pd-Ru-Cu compromise between the 950 and 500 grades when settings must be harder and more durable, at slightly lower cost and 25% elongation. | 200 | 400 | 25 | 118 HB | 9 % IACS |
Pd500 As-Cast | Use for lost-wax blanks with intricate detail, where the lower melting point and better melt fluidity help filling; as-cast elongation is limited to 14%. | 220 | 380 | 14 | 128 HB | 8 % IACS |
Pd950 Cold Worked | Pick wire or sheet drawn or rolled to about 40–60% reduction for spring prongs, earring posts and rigid parts needing 540 MPa yield; elongation falls to 3%. | 540 | 600 | 3 | 10 HRC | 10.5 % IACS |
Pd500 Cold Worked | Pick cold-drawn hard wire or strip for chain and clasp components needing higher strength and wear resistance, at 680 MPa yield and only 3% elongation. | 680 | 750 | 3 | 19 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
What is Pd950/Pd500-Pd990?
Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 is Pd950/Pd500 in the Pd990 grade — choose the highest-purity annealed grade of GB/T 11887 for plain bands and investment pieces: best whiteness and tarnish resistance, but very soft and easily scratched. Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 90% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 120 GPa (17.4 Msi). Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 has a density of 12 g/cm³ (0.434 lb/in³), heavier than 65% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,552°C (2,826 °F). Pd950-O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Pd990 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 35%, better than 83% of precious metal grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 95/100, better than 82% of precious metal grades
- Stiff — 120 GPa (17.4 Msi), better than 79% of precious metal grades
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 79% of precious metal grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 78% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), worse than 90% of precious metal grades
Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Pd950/Pd500-Pd990; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Pd950/Pd500 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 has a density of 12 g/cm³ (0.434 lb/in³), heavier than 65% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,552°C (2,826 °F).
Mechanical13
Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 90% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 120 GPa (17.4 Msi).
Thermal6
Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 71 W/m·K (41 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 61% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 conducts electricity at 15.5 % IACS, worse than 62% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (95/100), better than 82% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 takes about 180,000 MJ of energy and emits 9,000 kg of CO₂ — more than 77% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
Pd950/Pd500-Pd990's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 59% of precious metal grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Pd950/Pd500-Pd990
Is Pd950/Pd500 easy to machine?
Use sharp positive-rake tools at high speed and low feed with generous lubrication. The metal is sticky and work-hardens noticeably, so take finish turning or milling cuts to size in as few passes as possible.
Can Pd950/Pd500 be welded?
Laser spot welding and PUK micro-welding give the best results; argon-shielded TIG also works. High-temperature torch welding must avoid hydrogen pickup and sulfur contamination, and parts should be annealed after welding to remove embrittlement.
Can Pd950/Pd500 be formed, bent or molded?
Ductility in the annealed state is good for drawing, rolling and stamping; anneal at 800–950 °C in a protective atmosphere after every 40–50 % deformation. Lost-wax casting requires a vacuum or inert atmosphere and a high-temperature ceramic shell.
What surface finishes work on Pd950/Pd500?
The natural white colour polishes directly to a mirror with no rhodium plating; blasting, brushing and micro-arc texturing all work. Pd500 should be given an anti-tarnish treatment or a thin plated layer.
Pd950/Pd500 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| PdPd950 minimum per GB/T 11887; Pd500 requires ≥50.0% | 95 – 96 | 95 |
| Rucommon grain refiner/hardener in Pd950Ru | 3 – 5 | 4.5 |
| Cusmall amount in Pd950; about 5–15% in Pd500 | 0 – 2 | 0.5 |
| Agmain alloying element in Pd500, about 30–40% | 0 – 1 | 0 |
| Gadeoxidizer/melting-point depressant in casting grades | 0 – 1 | 0.2 |
| (Ir/Ni/Zn )balance of minor alloying and impurities, total per GB/T 11887 | balance | — |
Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 — frequently asked
What is Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 used for?
Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 is typically used for rings, wedding bands and lightweight fine jewelry. In short: lighter than platinum; white, no rhodium plating; hypoallergenic jewelry metal.
What is the yield strength of Pd950/Pd500-Pd990?
Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 90% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 59% of precious metal grades). Use sharp positive-rake tools at high speed and low feed with generous lubrication. The metal is sticky and work-hardens noticeably, so take finish turning or milling cuts to size in as few passes as possible.
Can Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Laser spot welding and PUK micro-welding give the best results; argon-shielded TIG also works. High-temperature torch welding must avoid hydrogen pickup and sulfur contamination, and parts should be annealed after welding to remove embrittlement.
What surface finishes work on Pd950/Pd500-Pd990?
The natural white colour polishes directly to a mirror with no rhodium plating; blasting, brushing and micro-arc texturing all work. Pd500 should be given an anti-tarnish treatment or a thin plated layer.
Can Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 be formed, bent or molded?
Ductility in the annealed state is good for drawing, rolling and stamping; anneal at 800–950 °C in a protective atmosphere after every 40–50 % deformation. Lost-wax casting requires a vacuum or inert atmosphere and a high-temperature ceramic shell.
What is the maximum service temperature of Pd950/Pd500-Pd990?
Pd950/Pd500-Pd990 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Pd950/Pd500 Pd950-O and Pd950/Pd500 Pd500-H?
Pd950-O is the default condition — choose this annealed soft state, the most commonly stocked one, for sheet, wire and tube that must be bent, stone-set and hand-formed; yield is only 150 MPa. Pd500-H: pick cold-drawn hard wire or strip for chain and clasp components needing higher strength and wear resistance, at 680 MPa yield and only 3% elongation. Yield strength is 150 MPa in Pd950-O versus 680 MPa in Pd500-H.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (Precious Metals) — ASM International (1990)
- Palladium jewellery alloy technical data — Johnson Matthey / (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.