Precious Metal Pt87Rh13 1/2H
Supply condition
ASTM E230 Type R · EN PtRh13
1/2H = half hard
Choose partially cold-worked wire or strip when parts need stiffness yet must still be bent; the 450 MPa yield comes with elongation cut to 8%.
Values for the 1/2H condition
Other Pt87Rh13 tempers and conditions
Pt87Rh13 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at Pt87Rh13.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft, fully recrystallized thermocouple wire | Pick this soft, fully recrystallized wire for Type R thermocouple positive legs, glass-fibre bushings and crucible liners needing ductility and stable EMF up to 1400 °C. | 190 | 380 | 32 | 90 HV | 8.8 % IACS |
1/2HThis page Half hard | Choose partially cold-worked wire or strip when parts need stiffness yet must still be bent; the 450 MPa yield comes with elongation cut to 8%. | 450 | 600 | 8 | 150 HB | 8.7 % IACS |
fully cold-drawn (spring) wire | Use fully cold-drawn spring wire for probes, elastic contacts and grids needing 700 MPa yield; elongation falls to 2%, service limit to 1000 °C, and annealing is required for stable EMF. | 700 | 820 | 2 | 19 HRC | 8.6 % IACS |
What is Pt87Rh13 1/2H?
Pt87Rh13 1/2H is Pt87Rh13 supplied in the 1/2H condition — choose partially cold-worked wire or strip when parts need stiffness yet must still be bent; the 450 MPa yield comes with elongation cut to 8%. Pt87Rh13 1/2H has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 97% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). Pt87Rh13 1/2H has a density of 19.6 g/cm³ (0.708 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,860°C (3,380 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/2H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 205 GPa (29.7 Msi), better than 98% of precious metal grades
- High service temperature — 1,400°C (2,552 °F), better than 98% of precious metal grades
- High strength — 450 MPa (65.3 ksi), better than 97% of precious metal grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 99/100, better than 93% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 22,000 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of precious metal grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 92% of precious metal grades
- Heavy — 19.6 g/cm³ (0.708 lb/in³), worse than 92% of precious metal grades
- Poor heat conductor — 31 W/m·K (17.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 55/100, worse than 89% of precious metal grades
Pt87Rh13 1/2H properties
Typical room-temperature values for Pt87Rh13 1/2H; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Pt87Rh13 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
Pt87Rh13 1/2H has a density of 19.6 g/cm³ (0.708 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,860°C (3,380 °F).
Mechanical10
Pt87Rh13 1/2H has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 97% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
Pt87Rh13 1/2H is rated for continuous service to 1,400°C (2,552 °F). It conducts heat at 31 W/m·K (17.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 8.9 µm/m·K (4.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Pt87Rh13 1/2H conducts electricity at 8.7 % IACS, worse than 85% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (99/100), better than 93% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Pt87Rh13 1/2H takes about 300,000 MJ of energy and emits 22,000 kg of CO₂ — more than 99% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability7
Pt87Rh13 1/2H's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 60% of precious metal grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Pt87Rh13 1/2H
Is Pt87Rh13 easy to machine?
Very soft and prone to smearing; use sharp diamond or carbide tooling with shallow depth of cut and high spindle speed. All precious-metal chips must be collected for refining.
Can Pt87Rh13 be welded?
Hot junctions are usually made with an oxy-hydrogen flame, micro-TIG or laser butt welding. Clean thoroughly beforehand — iron, silicon and oil contamination cause thermal EMF drift.
Can Pt87Rh13 be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed material cold-works readily, drawing to wire below 0.05 mm or rolling to foil. Anneal between passes at 1000–1200 °C and apply a stabilizing anneal after forming to restore the calibration curve.
What surface finishes work on Pt87Rh13?
No plating or anodizing is used. Contaminated material can be cleaned in dilute hydrochloric acid or aqua regia and restored by ignition at 1100–1200 °C in air; polishing gives a mirror surface.
Pt87Rh13 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rhnominal 13% rhodium | 12.5 – 13.5 | 13 |
| Ptbalance; Pt+Rh usually ≥99.95%, Fe/Si/Pd/Ir tightly controlled | balance | — |
Pt87Rh13 1/2H — frequently asked
What is Pt87Rh13 1/2H used for?
Pt87Rh13 1/2H is typically used for type R thermocouples, glass/steel industry sensors and lab furnaces. In short: more stable EMF than Type S; industrial sensing to 1400 °C; draws to sub-0.05 mm wire.
What is the yield strength of Pt87Rh13 1/2H?
Pt87Rh13 1/2H has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 97% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Pt87Rh13 1/2H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 60% of precious metal grades). Very soft and prone to smearing; use sharp diamond or carbide tooling with shallow depth of cut and high spindle speed. All precious-metal chips must be collected for refining.
Can Pt87Rh13 1/2H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Hot junctions are usually made with an oxy-hydrogen flame, micro-TIG or laser butt welding. Clean thoroughly beforehand — iron, silicon and oil contamination cause thermal EMF drift.
What surface finishes work on Pt87Rh13 1/2H?
No plating or anodizing is used. Contaminated material can be cleaned in dilute hydrochloric acid or aqua regia and restored by ignition at 1100–1200 °C in air; polishing gives a mirror surface.
Can Pt87Rh13 1/2H be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed material cold-works readily, drawing to wire below 0.05 mm or rolling to foil. Anneal between passes at 1000–1200 °C and apply a stabilizing anneal after forming to restore the calibration curve.
What is the maximum service temperature of Pt87Rh13 1/2H?
Pt87Rh13 1/2H is rated for continuous use to about 1,400°C (2,552 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- IEC 60584-1 Thermocouples — EMF specifications and tolerances (Type R) — IEC (2013)
- ASTM E230/E230M Standard Specification for Temperature-EMF Tables for Standardized Thermocouples — ASTM (2017)
- ASTM E1159 Standard Specification for Thermocouple Materials, Platinum-Rhodium Alloys and Platinum — ASTM (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Precious Metals and Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Platinum-rhodium alloy technical data — Johnson Matthey / Heraeus (2022)
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.