Precious Metal Pd950 1/2H
Supply condition
1/2H = half hard
Use the half-hard temper, about 30 % cold reduction, for wire, spring strip and watch-case parts that need rigidity while keeping some forming reserve at 10 % elongation.
Values for the 1/2H condition
Other Pd950 tempers and conditions
Pd950 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at Pd950.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Pick the annealed soft temper as the most stocked condition for sheet, wire and tube to be formed, forged or stone-set, with 35 % elongation and only 130 MPa yield. | 130 | 290 | 35 | 45 HB | 11 % IACS |
investment cast, as-solidified | Pick as-cast investment castings for jewellery shapes that cannot be wrought; coarse solidified grain keeps properties below annealed wrought stock, and vacuum or inert-gas casting is needed to avoid gas porosity. | 140 | 260 | 20 | 52 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
1/2HThis page Half hard | Use the half-hard temper, about 30 % cold reduction, for wire, spring strip and watch-case parts that need rigidity while keeping some forming reserve at 10 % elongation. | 370 | 450 | 10 | 81 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
hard / full hard (≥50 % reduction) | Choose the full-hard condition after at least 50 % cold reduction for spring elements, wear-resistant contacts and stiff settings; tensile strength peaks at 570 MPa with elongation down to 3 %. | 510 | 570 | 3 | 110 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
What is Pd950 1/2H?
Pd950 1/2H is Pd950 supplied in the 1/2H condition — use the half-hard temper, about 30 % cold reduction, for wire, spring strip and watch-case parts that need rigidity while keeping some forming reserve at 10 % elongation. Pd950 1/2H has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — stronger than 95% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 124 GPa (18 Msi). Pd950 1/2H has a density of 12 g/cm³ (0.434 lb/in³), heavier than 65% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,520°C (2,768 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/2H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 370 MPa (53.7 ksi), better than 95% of precious metal grades
- Stiff — 124 GPa (18 Msi), better than 82% of precious metal grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 78% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 89% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 55/100, worse than 89% of precious metal grades
- Poor heat conductor — 53 W/m·K (30.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of precious metal grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, worse than 77% of precious metal grades
Pd950 1/2H properties
Typical room-temperature values for Pd950 1/2H; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Pd950 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
Pd950 1/2H has a density of 12 g/cm³ (0.434 lb/in³), heavier than 65% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,520°C (2,768 °F).
Mechanical12
Pd950 1/2H has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — stronger than 95% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 124 GPa (18 Msi).
Thermal6
Pd950 1/2H is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 53 W/m·K (30.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Pd950 1/2H conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, worse than 77% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 73% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Pd950 1/2H takes about 150,000 MJ of energy and emits 10,000 kg of CO₂ — more than 73% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability8
Pd950 1/2H's machinability is fair (50/100, better than 74% of precious metal grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Pd950 1/2H
Is Pd950 easy to machine?
Gummy with a strong tendency to built-up edge: use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools at low speed and higher feed with generous lubrication. Recover all chips and grinding dust.
Can Pd950 be welded?
Laser spot welding and argon-arc welding perform well with matching Pd950 filler. Avoid reducing hydrogen-bearing flames at high temperature to prevent hydrogen absorption and blistering.
Can Pd950 be formed, bent or molded?
Ductile in the annealed temper for deep drawing, forging and wire drawing, but it work-hardens quickly — anneal at 900–1000 °C under protective atmosphere and water quench after roughly 50 % deformation.
What surface finishes work on Pd950?
The natural white colour needs no rhodium plating; a graded alumina or diamond compound sequence gives a mirror finish. Remove surface oxide and the subsurface porous layer on castings before polishing.
Pd950 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pdminimum 950‰ fineness (ISO 9202 / GB 11887) | ≥ 95 | 95 |
| GaPd950-Ga cast variant only; lowers melting point and hardens | 0 – 5 | — |
| Cutrace addition in some formulations to improve casting flow | 0 – 1 | — |
| Rustandard Pd-Ru 950; some grades replace part of Ru with Ga/Cu/Ir | ≥ 4 (balance) | — |
Pd950 1/2H — frequently asked
What is Pd950 1/2H used for?
Pd950 1/2H is typically used for bridal jewelry and wedding bands, white jewelry settings and mounts, watch cases and components, high-reliability electrical contacts, dental alloy components and brazing and joining stock for precious metal assemblies. In short: white-gold alternative palladium.
What is the yield strength of Pd950 1/2H?
Pd950 1/2H has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — stronger than 95% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is Pd950 1/2H easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, better than 74% of precious metal grades). Gummy with a strong tendency to built-up edge: use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools at low speed and higher feed with generous lubrication. Recover all chips and grinding dust.
Can Pd950 1/2H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Laser spot welding and argon-arc welding perform well with matching Pd950 filler. Avoid reducing hydrogen-bearing flames at high temperature to prevent hydrogen absorption and blistering.
What surface finishes work on Pd950 1/2H?
The natural white colour needs no rhodium plating; a graded alumina or diamond compound sequence gives a mirror finish. Remove surface oxide and the subsurface porous layer on castings before polishing.
Can Pd950 1/2H be formed, bent or molded?
Ductile in the annealed temper for deep drawing, forging and wire drawing, but it work-hardens quickly — anneal at 900–1000 °C under protective atmosphere and water quench after roughly 50 % deformation.
What is the maximum service temperature of Pd950 1/2H?
Pd950 1/2H is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ISO 9202 Jewellery — Fineness of precious metal alloys — ISO (2019)
- ASTM B562 Standard Specification for Refined Palladium — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Precious Metals) — ASM International (1990)
- Palladium jewellery alloy technical data (Pd950Ru / Pd950Ga) (2023)
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.