Precious Metal 10K Y-1/2H
Supply condition
Y-1/2H = 10K Yellow
Compromise temper for wire and findings needing stiffness but still some bending ductility.
Values for the Y-1/2H condition
Other 10K tempers and conditions
10K is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at 10K.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Y-AnnDefault 10K Yellow | Standard stocked condition for sheet, wire and tube that must be bent, drawn, stamped or set. | 190 | 420 | 35 | 125 HV | 100 W/m·K |
10K Yellow | Condition of lost-wax cast rings and charms straight from the flask, before work hardening. | 210 | 380 | 15 | 123 HB | 13.8 % IACS |
10K Rose / Red | High-copper pink to red color; hardest of the yellow-family 10K alloys but most tarnish-prone. | 230 | 450 | 25 | 133 HB | 17 % IACS |
Annealed | Nickel-free hypoallergenic white gold for EU/skin-contact products; softer and greyer than Ni white. | 250 | 480 | 30 | 142 HB | 7 % IACS |
Annealed | Low-cost hard white gold for rhodium-plated settings; check nickel-release compliance (EN 1811). | 280 | 550 | 28 | 165 HV | 6 % IACS |
As-cast | Cast white-gold mountings; watch for hot-tearing and porosity, cast hot and quench. | 320 | 500 | 10 | 170 HB | 5.5 % IACS |
Y-1/2HThis page 10K Yellow | Compromise temper for wire and findings needing stiffness but still some bending ductility. | 400 | 550 | 12 | 161 HB | 13.5 % IACS |
10K Yellow | Pick for spring clips, pin stems, eyeglass temples and wear surfaces needing maximum hardness. | 590 | 690 | 4 | 14 HRC | 13 % IACS |
10K Rose / Red | Cold-worked rose gold for wear-resistant bands; anneal frequently, it cracks if over-worked. | 640 | 750 | 3 | 19 HRC | 16 % IACS |
10K White | Hardest common 10K condition — spring parts and prongs that must resist deformation. | 750 | 900 | 3 | 22 HRC | 5 % IACS |
What is 10K Y-1/2H?
10K Y-1/2H is 10K supplied in the Y-1/2H condition — compromise temper for wire and findings needing stiffness but still some bending ductility. 10K Y-1/2H has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 96% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi). 10K Y-1/2H has a density of 11.55 g/cm³ (0.417 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of precious metal grades. It melts at 880°C (1,616 °F). Y-Ann is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Y-1/2H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 400 MPa (58 ksi), better than 96% of precious metal grades
- Easy to machine — 58/100, better than 95% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 100% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 55/100, worse than 89% of precious metal grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 88% of precious metal grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 65/100, worse than 77% of precious metal grades
10K Y-1/2H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 10K Y-1/2H; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 10K reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
10K Y-1/2H has a density of 11.55 g/cm³ (0.417 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of precious metal grades. It melts at 880°C (1,616 °F).
Mechanical11
10K Y-1/2H has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 96% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
Thermal6
10K Y-1/2H is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 97 W/m·K (56 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 52% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
10K Y-1/2H conducts electricity at 13.5 % IACS, worse than 71% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), worse than 77% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 10K Y-1/2H takes about 105,000 MJ of energy and emits 7,000 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
10K Y-1/2H's machinability is good (58/100, better than 95% 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 10K Y-1/2H
Is 10K easy to machine?
Machines cleanly when work-hardened; use sharp carbide/HSS, high speed, light feed, and collect all swarf and coolant for refining.
Can 10K be welded?
Joined by laser or PUK microwelding and by matched 10K easy/medium/hard solders; avoid overheating that volatilizes zinc.
Can 10K be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability when annealed (rolling, drawing, stamping); anneal 600–650 °C and quench every 50–60 % reduction, and cast by lost wax at ~1050–1100 °C metal temperature.
What surface finishes work on 10K?
Polishes to a bright mirror; white grades are almost always rhodium plated, and yellow/rose grades benefit from anti-tarnish lacquer or e-coat in humid service.
10K 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Au417‰ minimum; US legal 10K, no negative tolerance without solder allowance | 41.7 – 42.5 | 41.7 |
| Agraises yellow-green tone; near zero in red gold | 4 – 20 | 11.5 |
| Zndeoxidizer / color and melt-range control | 0 – 15 | 5.5 |
| Ni10–14 % only in nickel white golds; nickel-release limited by EN 1811 / REACH | 0 – 14 | 0 |
| Pdused instead of Ni in hypoallergenic white 10K | 0 – 12 | 0 |
| Si/Ir/B (grain refiner)trace deoxidiser/grain refiner in casting grades | 0 – 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Cuprincipal balance in yellow/rose alloys | ≥ 25 (balance) | — |
10K Y-1/2H — frequently asked
What is 10K Y-1/2H used for?
10K Y-1/2H is typically used for class rings, budget jewelry and men's rings. In short: minimum US gold karat; hard, wear-resistant karat; low precious-metal cost.
What is the yield strength of 10K Y-1/2H?
10K Y-1/2H has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 96% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 10K Y-1/2H easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 95% of precious metal grades). Machines cleanly when work-hardened; use sharp carbide/HSS, high speed, light feed, and collect all swarf and coolant for refining.
Can 10K Y-1/2H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Joined by laser or PUK microwelding and by matched 10K easy/medium/hard solders; avoid overheating that volatilizes zinc.
What surface finishes work on 10K Y-1/2H?
Polishes to a bright mirror; white grades are almost always rhodium plated, and yellow/rose grades benefit from anti-tarnish lacquer or e-coat in humid service.
Can 10K Y-1/2H be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability when annealed (rolling, drawing, stamping); anneal 600–650 °C and quench every 50–60 % reduction, and cast by lost wax at ~1050–1100 °C metal temperature.
What is the maximum service temperature of 10K Y-1/2H?
10K Y-1/2H is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 10K Y-Ann and 10K W-Ni-H?
Y-Ann is the default condition — standard stocked condition for sheet, wire and tube that must be bent, drawn, stamped or set. W-Ni-H: hardest common 10K condition — spring parts and prongs that must resist deformation. Yield strength is 190 MPa in Y-Ann versus 750 MPa in W-Ni-H.
Sources
- ASTM B562 — Standard Specification for Refined Gold — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (precious metals) — ASM International (1990)
- Karat gold alloy and solder technical data — Hoover & Strong / Stuller / Legor (2023)
- Gold Bulletin / Santa Fe Symposium jewelry alloy metallurgy papers — World Gold Council (2019)
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.