Precious Metal 18K White Gold 1/2H vs 18K White Gold Annealed
Precious Metal · 18K White Gold temper comparison
18K White Gold 1/2H and 18K White Gold Annealed are two conditions of the same precious metal grade, 18K White Gold: 1/2H (half hard) versus Annealed. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 18K White Gold 1/2H is the stronger of the two: yield strength 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for 18K White Gold Annealed, about 87% more; tensile strength follows at 720 MPa (104 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). In exchange, 18K White Gold Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 8% for 18K White Gold 1/2H, and 18K White Gold 1/2H is harder (185 HB vs 128 HB). 18K White Gold Annealed runs hotter in service (400°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, 18K White Gold Annealed welds better (very good vs good).
18K White Gold 1/2HChoose it when strength drives the design.
18K White Gold AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
18K White Gold 1/2H vs 18K White Gold Annealed: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all precious metal grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all precious metal grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
18K White Gold 1/2H18K White Gold Annealed
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 95 GPa13.8 Msi · Shear Modulus 36 GPa5.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 145 GPa21 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.38
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 15.8 g/cm³0.57 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,130°C2,066 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,200°C2,192 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 155 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 14.5 µm/m·K8.1 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 70 J/g30.1 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) 0.2 V · Corrosion Resistance 92 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Castability 72 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 90 / 100 · Polishability 93 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 190,000 MJ/kg8.17×10⁷ BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 12,000 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 200,000 L/kg23,965 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 35%
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every precious metal grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
18K White Gold 1/2H vs 18K White Gold Annealed — frequently asked
Is 18K White Gold 1/2H stronger than 18K White Gold Annealed?
Yes. 18K White Gold 1/2H has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for 18K White Gold Annealed — about 87% more. Tensile strength is 720 MPa (104 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/2H or Annealed?
Annealed is the default 18K White Gold condition in the FabDigit quote flow. The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, 18K White Gold 1/2H or 18K White Gold Annealed?
18K White Gold 1/2H, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 66/100 against 58/100 for 18K White Gold Annealed; for welding the order is 18K White Gold Annealed first (very good, 75/100) then 18K White Gold 1/2H (good, 65/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 18K White Gold 1/2H and 18K White Gold Annealed side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.