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Precious Metal Gold 14K vs Gold 24K

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal Gold 14K and Gold 24K are both precious metal grades. Gold 14K is the stronger of the two: yield strength 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Gold 24K, about 6.7 times as much; tensile strength follows at 400 MPa (58 ksi) vs 125 MPa (18.1 ksi). In exchange, Gold 24K is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 38% for Gold 14K, and Gold 14K is harder (130 HB vs 25 HB). Gold 14K is lighter (13.07 g/cm³ vs 19.32 g/cm³ for Gold 24K) and Gold 24K runs hotter in service (700°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, Gold 14K machines more easily (good vs fair) and Gold 24K welds better (excellent vs very good).

Gold 14KChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

Gold 24KChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

Gold 14K vs Gold 24K: properties

Gold 14KGold 24K

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

79 GPa11.5 Msi
78 GPa11.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

29 GPa4.2 Msi
27 GPa3.9 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.37
0.42

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

400 MPa58 ksi
125 MPa18.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

200 MPa29 ksi
30 MPa4.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

38%
45%

Reduction in Area

45%
90%

Shear Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
85 MPa12.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
—

Hardness, Brinell

130 HB
25 HB

Hardness, Vickers

135 HV
25 HV

Bulk Modulus

—
173 GPa25.1 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

13.07 g/cm³0.47 lb/in³
19.32 g/cm³0.7 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

802°C1,476 °F
1,064°C1,948 °F

Liquidus Temperature

879°C1,614 °F
1,064°C1,948 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

130 W/m·K75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
318 W/m·K184 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

220 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F
129 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

15.5 µm/m·K8.6 µin/in·°F
14.2 µm/m·K7.9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

105 J/g45.1 BTU/lb
64 J/g27.4 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

350°C662 °F
700°C1,292 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-269°C-452 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

15.5 % IACS
71 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.33 µΩ·in
2.44×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.961 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

0.2 V
0.25 V

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
100 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

60 / 100
40 / 100

Weldability

75 / 100
85 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
100 / 100

Castability

85 / 100
88 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
95 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
40%

Same in both: Polishability 95 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

145,000 MJ/kg6.23×10⁷ BTU/lb
260,000 MJ/kg1.12×10⁸ BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12,000 kg CO₂/kg
25,000 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

90,000 L/kg10,784 gal/lb
250,000 L/kg29,957 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
28%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

31 kN·m/kg
6 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

6 MN·m/kg
4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

253 kJ/m³
6 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

45.2 mm²/s
127.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

42
36

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.

50100200500101520Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleGold 14KGold 24K

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityGold 14KGold 24K
Default conditionOO
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$$ Specialty
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Gold 14K vs Gold 24K — frequently asked

Is Gold 14K stronger than Gold 24K?

Yes. Gold 14K has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Gold 24K — about 6.7 times as much. Tensile strength is 400 MPa (58 ksi) vs 125 MPa (18.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Gold 14K or Gold 24K?

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 is easier to machine, Gold 14K or Gold 24K?

Gold 14K. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against fair (40/100) for Gold 24K; for welding the order is Gold 24K first (excellent, 85/100) then Gold 14K (very good, 75/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Gold 14K and Gold 24K 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.