Precious Metal Pd99.9 Sponge
Grade
UNS P03990 · ASTM B540
Sponge = 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.
Values for the Sponge condition
Other Pd99.9 tempers and conditions
Pd99.9 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at Pd99.9.
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 |
SpongeThis page 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 Sponge?
Pd99.9 Sponge is Pd99.9 in the Sponge grade — 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. Pd99.9 Sponge 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 0% and the elastic modulus is 121 GPa (17.5 Msi). Pd99.9 Sponge has a density of 3.5 g/cm³ (0.126 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,555°C (2,831 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Sponge is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Lightweight — 3.5 g/cm³ (0.126 lb/in³), better than 100% 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
- Limited ductility — 0%, worse than 100% of precious metal grades
- Poor heat conductor — 2 W/m·K (1.16 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of precious metal grades
- Difficult to machine — 0/100, worse than 100% of precious metal grades
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of precious metal grades
- Low strength — 55 MPa (7.98 ksi), worse than 95% of precious metal grades
Pd99.9 Sponge properties
Typical room-temperature values for Pd99.9 Sponge; 9 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Pd99.9 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
Pd99.9 Sponge has a density of 3.5 g/cm³ (0.126 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,555°C (2,831 °F).
Mechanical12
Pd99.9 Sponge 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 0% and the elastic modulus is 121 GPa (17.5 Msi).
Thermal6
Pd99.9 Sponge is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 2 W/m·K (1.16 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Pd99.9 Sponge conducts electricity at 16 % IACS, worse than 60% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 69% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Pd99.9 Sponge 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 Sponge's machinability is not recommended (0/100, worse than 100% of precious metal grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Pd99.9 Sponge
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.
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.
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) |
Pd99.9 Sponge — frequently asked
What is Pd99.9 Sponge used for?
Pd99.9 Sponge 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 Sponge?
Pd99.9 Sponge 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 Sponge easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (0/100, worse than 100% 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 Sponge be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). 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 Sponge?
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 Sponge 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 Sponge?
Pd99.9 Sponge 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.