Precious Metal Pd950 · temper · default condition
Precious Metal Pd950-O
Properties of the O condition, compared with the other Pd950 tempers.
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.
What is Pd950-O?
Pd950-O is Pd950 in the O temper — 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. Pd950-O has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 72% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 124 GPa (18 Msi). Pd950-O 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).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 93% of precious metal grades
- High service temperature — 800°C (1,472 °F), better than 90% of precious metal grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 35%, better than 83% of precious metal grades
- Stiff — 124 GPa (18 Msi), better than 82% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 55 W/m·K (31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of precious metal grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 11 % IACS, worse than 77% of precious metal grades
Pd950-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for Pd950-O — 7 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Pd950 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the precious metal grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Pd950-O 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).
Mechanical9
Pd950-O has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 72% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 124 GPa (18 Msi).
Thermal6
Pd950-O is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 55 W/m·K (31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Pd950-O conducts electricity at 11 % IACS, worse than 77% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 74% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Pd950-O takes about 150,000 MJ of energy and emits 10,000 kg of CO₂ — more than 74% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability7
Pd950-O's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 60% of precious metal grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other Pd950 tempers and conditions
Pd950 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Pd950 overview.
- ODefaultPick 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 MPa yield · 47 HV
Working with Pd950-O
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-O — frequently asked
What is Pd950-O used for?
Pd950-O 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-O?
Pd950-O has a typical yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 72% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is Pd950-O easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 60% 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-O be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). 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-O?
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-O 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-O?
Pd950-O is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in Pd950-O?
Yes — Pd950-O is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
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.