Precious Metal Pd99.9
UNS P03990 · ASTM B540
Pd99.9 is commercially pure palladium, a platinum-group metal covered by ASTM B540 (UNS P03990) and stocked in annealed, H01, H02 and H04 tempers as well as as-cast and sponge forms.
Reference datasheet — Pd99.9 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the Annealed condition
Pd99.9 tempers and conditions
Pd99.9 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vacuum/inert melted ingot or casting | Use for vacuum or inert melted ingots, dental castings and master alloy stock, where coarse as-cast grain and a low 50 MPa yield are acceptable before further working. | 50 | 165 | 25 | 38 HB | 15.8 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault fully softened (O temper) | Pick the standard stock, fully softened O temper for maximum ductility in deep drawing, wire drawing, foil rolling and later alloying; yield strength is only 55 MPa. | 55 | 180 | 35 | 40 HB | 16 % IACS |
Sponge / Powder | Choose the refined sponge or powder feedstock for catalysts, pastes, powder metallurgy and melt charging; it is a raw input form, not a structural product condition. | 0 | 40 HV | 2 W/m·K | ||
Quarter hard | Choose 1/4 hard strip, cold reduced about 10–15 %, for thin sheet and contact spring blanks that need some stiffness while keeping 16 % elongation as forming margin. | 170 | 230 | 16 | 64 HB | 15.7 % IACS |
Half hard | Use 1/2 hard material, cold reduced about 25–35 %, for contacts, slip rings and springy parts as a compromise between 225 MPa yield and remaining formability. | 225 | 280 | 8 | 84 HB | 15.5 % IACS |
Full hard | Pick the full-hard state, cold reduced 50 % or more, for fine wire, spring contacts and probes needing top strength and wear resistance; elongation falls to 3 %. | 285 | 330 | 3 | 100 HB | 15.3 % IACS |
What is Pd99.9?
Pd99.9 is commercially pure palladium, a platinum-group metal covered by ASTM B540 (UNS P03990) and stocked in annealed, H01, H02 and H04 tempers as well as as-cast and sponge forms. It is specified for electrical contacts, dental alloys, catalysis and as base stock for Pd-Ag and Pd-Cu alloys, typically supplied as wire, strip, foil, sheet and sponge. Annealed values are 55 MPa yield, 180 MPa tensile, 35 % elongation, 40 HB, 71.8 W/m·K thermal conductivity, 16 % IACS and about 500 °C maximum service temperature. It is very soft with poor machinability (score 30), price tracks the palladium market, and hot hydrogen-bearing atmospheres embrittle it; Pd-Ag is the nearest alternative. Pd99.9 has a density of 12.02 g/cm³ (0.434 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,555°C (2,831 °F). Pd99.9 has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 95% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 121 GPa (17.5 Msi).
What is Pd99.9 used for?
- Electrical contacts
- Dental alloys
- Catalytic converters
- Hydrogen purification membranes
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 91% of precious metal grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 87% of precious metal grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 35%, better than 83% of precious metal grades
- Stiff — 121 GPa (17.5 Msi), better than 80% of precious metal grades
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 79% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 55 MPa (7.98 ksi), worse than 95% of precious metal grades
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 86% of precious metal grades
Pd99.9 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Pd99.9-Annealed; bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
Pd99.9 has a density of 12.02 g/cm³ (0.434 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,555°C (2,831 °F).
Mechanical12
Pd99.9 has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 95% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 121 GPa (17.5 Msi).
Thermal6
Pd99.9 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 71.8 W/m·K (41.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 60% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Pd99.9 conducts electricity at 16 % IACS, worse than 60% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 73% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Pd99.9 takes about 60,000 MJ of energy and emits 3,900 kg of CO₂ — more than 63% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 28%.
Manufacturability8
Pd99.9's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 86% of precious metal grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability excellent (95/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the precious metal family
Yield strength against density for every precious metal grade FabDigit runs. Pd99.9 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Pd99.9
Is Pd99.9 easy to machine?
Extremely soft and prone to sticking to the tool; use sharp tooling with large positive rake, high spindle speed, light depth of cut and oil-based coolant. Collect all chips and swarf for precious-metal recovery.
Can Pd99.9 be welded?
Resistance, laser, micro-plasma and inert-gas TIG welding are all usable. Remove sulphur, lead and tin contamination completely before welding, and avoid hot hydrogen-bearing atmospheres to prevent hydrogen embrittlement.
Can Pd99.9 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability in the annealed state is excellent, with continuous cold rolling or drawing to more than 90 % reduction. Intermediate anneal at 750–900 °C in an inert or reducing (hydrogen-free) atmosphere; hot working range is roughly 900–1200 °C.
Pd99.9 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) |
|---|---|
| Ptplatinum-group impurity | ≤ 0.05 |
| Rh | ≤ 0.02 |
| Ir | ≤ 0.02 |
| Ru | ≤ 0.02 |
| Au | ≤ 0.02 |
| Ag | ≤ 0.02 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.02 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.02 |
| Pbharmful to hot working and brazing | ≤ 0.01 |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 |
| Other (total)maximum total impurities | ≤ 0.1 |
| Pdmin 99.9 wt% Pd (ASTM B589 / GB/T 1419 grade 1) | ≥ 99.9 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on Pd99.9?
Mechanical polishing alone gives a lasting bright white mirror surface, and no plating is needed to prevent tarnish. Rh or Au electroplating can be applied for wear resistance or brazeability; anodizing does not apply.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Precious Metal Pd99.9 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- P03990
- ASTM
- B540
How much does Pd99.9 cost?
Pd99.9 is a high-cost precious metal ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Pd99.9 — frequently asked
What is Pd99.9 used for?
Pd99.9 is typically used for electrical contacts, dental alloys, catalytic converters and hydrogen purification membranes. In short: highest formability rating (95); hydrogen-permeable membrane metal; base stock for Pd alloys.
What is the yield strength of Pd99.9?
Pd99.9 has a typical yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 95% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is Pd99.9 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 86% of precious metal grades). Extremely soft and prone to sticking to the tool; use sharp tooling with large positive rake, high spindle speed, light depth of cut and oil-based coolant. Collect all chips and swarf for precious-metal recovery.
Can Pd99.9 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Resistance, laser, micro-plasma and inert-gas TIG welding are all usable. Remove sulphur, lead and tin contamination completely before welding, and avoid hot hydrogen-bearing atmospheres to prevent hydrogen embrittlement.
What surface finishes work on Pd99.9?
Mechanical polishing alone gives a lasting bright white mirror surface, and no plating is needed to prevent tarnish. Rh or Au electroplating can be applied for wear resistance or brazeability; anodizing does not apply.
Can Pd99.9 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability in the annealed state is excellent, with continuous cold rolling or drawing to more than 90 % reduction. Intermediate anneal at 750–900 °C in an inert or reducing (hydrogen-free) atmosphere; hot working range is roughly 900–1200 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of Pd99.9?
Pd99.9 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 Pd99.9 Annealed and Pd99.9-H04?
Annealed is the default condition — pick the standard stock, fully softened O temper for maximum ductility in deep drawing, wire drawing, foil rolling and later alloying; yield strength is only 55 MPa. H04: pick the full-hard state, cold reduced 50 % or more, for fine wire, spring contacts and probes needing top strength and wear resistance; elongation falls to 3 %. Yield strength is 55 MPa in Annealed versus 285 MPa in H04.
How much does Pd99.9 cost?
Pd99.9 is a high-cost precious metal ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM B589 — Standard Specification for Refined Palladium — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B540 — Standard Specification for Palladium Electrical Contact Material — ASTM International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Precious Metals) — ASM International (1990)
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 104th ed. — CRC Press (2023)
- Platinum Metals Review / PGM mill product data — Johnson Matthey (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.