Precious Metal Gold 14K vs Gold 18K
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal Gold 14K and Gold 18K are both precious metal grades, both jewelry precious metal. Gold 18K is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for Gold 14K, about 13% more. Gold 18K is harder — 140 HB against 130 HB for Gold 14K — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Gold 14K is lighter (13.07 g/cm³ vs 15.5 g/cm³ for Gold 18K) and Gold 18K runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, Gold 18K welds better (excellent vs very good).
Gold 14KChoose it when weight is the constraint.
Gold 18KChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Gold 14K vs Gold 18K: 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Bulk Modulus
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 200 MPa29 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.33 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Same in both: Machinability 60 / 100 · Castability 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Gold 14K | Gold 18K |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | O | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Gold 14K vs Gold 18K — frequently asked
Is Gold 18K stronger than Gold 14K?
Yes. Gold 18K has a typical tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for Gold 14K — about 13% more.
Which is cheaper, Gold 14K or Gold 18K?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$$, specialty); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, Gold 14K or Gold 18K?
Gold 18K. Its weldability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (75/100) for Gold 14K.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Gold 14K and Gold 18K 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.