Precious Metal Pure Pd-O (Annealed)
Temper · default condition
Choose for deep drawing, bending, wire bonding and clad/bimetal contact rivets where maximum ductility is needed.
Values for the O condition
Other Pure Pd tempers and conditions
Pure Pd is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at Pure Pd.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefaultThis page Annealed | Choose for deep drawing, bending, wire bonding and clad/bimetal contact rivets where maximum ductility is needed. | 55 | 180 | 32 | 38 HB | 16 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Choose when formed contact springs need slightly higher yield strength but still substantial bend ductility. | 150 | 235 | 15 | 62 HB | 15.8 % IACS |
Half hard | The usual stocked temper for stamped relay contacts and contact springs needing a balance of strength and formability. | 215 | 285 | 8 | 84 HB | 15.6 % IACS |
Full hard | Choose for maximum hardness, wear resistance and spring force in sliding contacts, brushes and probe wire; very limited bending. | 300 | 340 | 3 | 106 HB | 15.4 % IACS |
What is Pure Pd-O?
Pure Pd-O is Pure Pd in the O temper — choose for deep drawing, bending, wire bonding and clad/bimetal contact rivets where maximum ductility is needed. Pure Pd-O 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 32% and the elastic modulus is 121 GPa (17.5 Msi). Pure Pd-O has a density of 12.02 g/cm³ (0.434 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,554°C (2,829 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 93% of precious metal grades
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 91% of precious metal grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 95/100, better than 82% 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
- High embodied carbon — 12,000 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 76% of precious metal grades
Pure Pd-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for Pure Pd-O; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Pure Pd reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
Pure Pd-O has a density of 12.02 g/cm³ (0.434 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,554°C (2,829 °F).
Mechanical11
Pure Pd-O 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 32% and the elastic modulus is 121 GPa (17.5 Msi).
Thermal6
Pure Pd-O 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
Pure Pd-O conducts electricity at 16 % IACS, worse than 60% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (95/100), better than 82% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Pure Pd-O takes about 120,000 MJ of energy and emits 12,000 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 28%.
Manufacturability8
Pure Pd-O's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 73% of precious metal grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability excellent (95/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Pure Pd-O
Is Pure Pd easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp, high-rake carbide or diamond tools, light depths, high speed and copious lubrication; collect all swarf for refining.
Can Pure Pd be welded?
Resistance, laser and micro-TIG weld readily in inert gas; strictly avoid hydrogen-bearing atmospheres and sulphur/lead contamination which embrittle the metal.
Can Pure Pd be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in the annealed temper (deep drawing, coining, fine wire drawing); anneal at 800–1000 °C in inert or slightly oxidising atmosphere between heavy reductions.
What surface finishes work on Pure Pd?
Takes a bright mirror polish that does not tarnish; often used as a plated or clad contact layer itself, and can be electroplated with Au flash to suppress frictional polymer film formation.
Pure Pd 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 %) |
|---|---|
| Pttypical single-impurity limit | ≤ 0.05 |
| Rh+Ir+Ruother PGM total | ≤ 0.05 |
| Ag | ≤ 0.02 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.02 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.02 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.01 |
| Total impuritiessum of all non-Pd elements | ≤ 0.1 |
| Pdrefined palladium, ASTM B589 grade 99.9 min | ≥ 99.9 (balance) |
Pure Pd-O — frequently asked
What is Pure Pd-O used for?
Pure Pd-O is typically used for reed relay contacts, precision telecom switch contacts and electroplating anodes. In short: tarnish-free noble contact; highest formability in family; soft, hydrogen-sensitive metal.
What is the yield strength of Pure Pd-O?
Pure Pd-O 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 4 listed tempers.
Is Pure Pd-O easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 73% of precious metal grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp, high-rake carbide or diamond tools, light depths, high speed and copious lubrication; collect all swarf for refining.
Can Pure Pd-O be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Resistance, laser and micro-TIG weld readily in inert gas; strictly avoid hydrogen-bearing atmospheres and sulphur/lead contamination which embrittle the metal.
What surface finishes work on Pure Pd-O?
Takes a bright mirror polish that does not tarnish; often used as a plated or clad contact layer itself, and can be electroplated with Au flash to suppress frictional polymer film formation.
Can Pure Pd-O be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in the annealed temper (deep drawing, coining, fine wire drawing); anneal at 800–1000 °C in inert or slightly oxidising atmosphere between heavy reductions.
What is the maximum service temperature of Pure Pd-O?
Pure Pd-O 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 Pure Pd-O and Pure Pd-H04?
O is the default condition — choose for deep drawing, bending, wire bonding and clad/bimetal contact rivets where maximum ductility is needed. H04: choose for maximum hardness, wear resistance and spring force in sliding contacts, brushes and probe wire; very limited bending. Yield strength is 55 MPa in O versus 300 MPa in H04.
Sources
- ASTM B589 — Standard Specification for Refined Palladium — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Precious Metals) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (Noble Metals) — ASM International (2005)
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics — physical properties of palladium — CRC Press (2023)
- Precious metal contact material data (Pd and Pd alloys) — 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.