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Precious Metal Pd950 Cold Worked

Supply condition

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 %.

Specialty cost $$$$$

Values for the Cold Worked 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
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.1302903545 HB11 % 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.1402602052 HB10.5 % IACS
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.3704501081 HB10.8 % IACS
Cold WorkedThis page
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 %.5105703110 HB10.5 % IACS

What is Pd950 Cold Worked?

Pd950 Cold Worked is Pd950 supplied in the Cold Worked condition — 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 %. Pd950 Cold Worked has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 97% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 124 GPa (18 Msi). Pd950 Cold Worked 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; Cold Worked is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 510 MPa (74 ksi), better than 97% of precious metal grades
  • Easy to machine — 55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades
  • Stiff — 124 GPa (18 Msi), better than 82% of precious metal grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 95% of precious metal grades
  • Limited formability — 25/100, worse than 95% of precious metal grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of precious metal grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 10.5 % IACS, worse than 77% of precious metal grades

Pd950 Cold Worked properties

Typical room-temperature values for Pd950 Cold Worked; 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 Cold Worked 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).

Density12 g/cm³0.43 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,520°C2,768 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,555°C2,831 °F

Mechanical12

Pd950 Cold Worked has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 97% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 124 GPa (18 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus124 GPa18 Msi
Shear Modulus47 GPa6.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus187 GPa27.1 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.39
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)570 MPa82.7 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)510 MPa74 ksi
Elongation at Break3%
Reduction in Area25%
Shear Strength350 MPa50.8 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)230 MPa33.4 ksi
Hardness, Brinell110 HB
Hardness, Vickers115 HV

Thermal6

Pd950 Cold Worked is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity52 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity245 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.8 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion157 J/g67.5 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)300°C572 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

Pd950 Cold Worked conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, worse than 77% of precious metal grades.

Electrical Conductivity10.5 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.66×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.54 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 73% of precious metal grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)0.7 V
Corrosion ResistanceExcellent92/100
Chemical Resistance Summary—

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Pd950 Cold Worked 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%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)150,000 MJ/kg6.45×10⁷ BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)10,000 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water250,000 L/kg29,957 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content50%

Manufacturability8

Pd950 Cold Worked's machinability is good (55/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability poor (25/100).

MachinabilityGood55/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)48%
WeldabilityVery good70/100
Formability (cold)Poor25/100
CastabilityFair45/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good70/100
PolishabilityVery good82/100
Anodizing Response—

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Pd950 Cold Worked

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Pdminimum 950‰ fineness (ISO 9202 / GB 11887)≥ 9595
GaPd950-Ga cast variant only; lowers melting point and hardens0 – 5—
Cutrace addition in some formulations to improve casting flow0 – 1—
Rustandard Pd-Ru 950; some grades replace part of Ru with Ga/Cu/Ir≥ 4 (balance)—

Pd950 Cold Worked — frequently asked

What is Pd950 Cold Worked used for?

Pd950 Cold Worked 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 Cold Worked?

Pd950 Cold Worked has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 97% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is Pd950 Cold Worked easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 86% 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 Cold Worked be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). 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 Cold Worked?

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 Cold Worked 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 Cold Worked?

Pd950 Cold Worked 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

  1. ISO 9202 Jewellery — Fineness of precious metal alloys — ISO (2019)
  2. ASTM B562 Standard Specification for Refined Palladium — ASTM International (2020)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Precious Metals) — ASM International (1990)
  4. 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.