Precious Metal 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H
Supply condition
H04-1/2H = 1/2 Hard
General-purpose stiff sheet/wire for chain, findings and stamped components.
Values for the H04-1/2H condition
Other 18K Rose Gold tempers and conditions
18K Rose Gold is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 18K Rose Gold.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Standard stock condition for sheet, wire and tube that will be bent, drawn, set or hand-formed. | 210 | 460 | 32 | 143 HB | 19 % IACS |
As cast | Choose for cast jewellery bodies and hollow/organic shapes straight from the flask before hardening. | 230 | 400 | 15 | 157 HB | 18 % IACS |
1/4 Hard | Pick when parts must hold shape during setting yet still allow moderate bending. | 450 | 600 | 15 | 166 HB | 18.5 % IACS |
H04-1/2HThis page 1/2 Hard | General-purpose stiff sheet/wire for chain, findings and stamped components. | 580 | 700 | 8 | 185 HB | 18 % IACS |
Hard / spring | Use for springy clasps, pin stems, drawn fine wire and thin sections needing maximum stiffness. | 730 | 820 | 4 | 204 HB | 17.5 % IACS |
Age (order) hardened | Best when maximum hardness and wear/dent resistance are needed — AuCu ordering nearly doubles the annealed hardness. | 850 | 980 | 5 | 270 HB | — |
What is 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H?
18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H is 18K Rose Gold supplied in the H04-1/2H condition — general-purpose stiff sheet/wire for chain, findings and stamped components. 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H has a yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 97% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 89 GPa (12.9 Msi). 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H has a density of 15.3 g/cm³ (0.553 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of precious metal grades. It melts at 890°C (1,634 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H04-1/2H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 66/100, better than 101% of precious metal grades
- High strength — 580 MPa (84.1 ksi), better than 97% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 175°C (347 °F), worse than 100% of precious metal grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 92% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 55/100, worse than 89% of precious metal grades
- High embodied carbon — 13,000 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 81% of precious metal grades
- Heavy — 15.3 g/cm³ (0.553 lb/in³), worse than 75% of precious metal grades
18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 18K Rose Gold reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H has a density of 15.3 g/cm³ (0.553 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of precious metal grades. It melts at 890°C (1,634 °F).
Mechanical14
18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H has a yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 97% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 89 GPa (12.9 Msi).
Thermal6
18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H is rated for continuous service to 175°C (347 °F). It conducts heat at 126 W/m·K (72.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 63% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H conducts electricity at 18 % IACS, worse than 54% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (77/100), worse than 59% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H takes about 180,000 MJ of energy and emits 13,000 kg of CO₂ — more than 77% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H's machinability is good (66/100, better than 101% of precious metal grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H
Is 18K Rose Gold easy to machine?
Turns and mills cleanly with sharp uncoated carbide/HSS and light oil, but the annealed alloy is gummy — hard or age-hardened stock gives the best finish, and all chips must be collected for refining.
Can 18K Rose Gold be welded?
Laser and PUK welding are routine with matching 18K rose filler; the copper-rich melt oxidises and hot-cracks easily, so use argon shielding and low, well-focused energy.
Can 18K Rose Gold be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold rolling, drawing and stamping in the annealed state; work-hardens quickly so interanneal at 650–700 °C and water-quench to avoid the brittle ordered phase.
What surface finishes work on 18K Rose Gold?
Polishes to a bright mirror; pickle in warm dilute sulphuric acid to remove copper firescale, and finish with barrel/rouge polish or protective rose-gold PVD/electroplating if extra tarnish resistance is wanted.
18K Rose Gold 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Au750‰ hallmark minimum (ISO 9202 / GB 11887) | 75 – 75.5 | 75 |
| Aglowers redness, improves ductility and tarnish resistance | 0 – 5 | 2.75 |
| Znoptional deoxidiser / flow aid in casting alloys | 0 – 1 | 0.3 |
| Sitrace grain refiner/deoxidiser in casting grades | 0 – 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Ir/Co (grain refiner)trace addition in casting alloys | 0 – 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Cuhigher Cu = redder (5N ≈ 25 % Cu, 4N ≈ 22 % Cu) | ≥ 18 (balance) | — |
18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H — frequently asked
What is 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H used for?
18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H is typically used for fashion jewelry, wedding bands and watch cases. In short: hardest 18K colour; copper-rich, fire-scale prone; age-hardenable rose alloy.
What is the yield strength of 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H?
18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H has a typical yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 97% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (66/100, better than 101% of precious metal grades). Turns and mills cleanly with sharp uncoated carbide/HSS and light oil, but the annealed alloy is gummy — hard or age-hardened stock gives the best finish, and all chips must be collected for refining.
Can 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Laser and PUK welding are routine with matching 18K rose filler; the copper-rich melt oxidises and hot-cracks easily, so use argon shielding and low, well-focused energy.
What surface finishes work on 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H?
Polishes to a bright mirror; pickle in warm dilute sulphuric acid to remove copper firescale, and finish with barrel/rouge polish or protective rose-gold PVD/electroplating if extra tarnish resistance is wanted.
Can 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold rolling, drawing and stamping in the annealed state; work-hardens quickly so interanneal at 650–700 °C and water-quench to avoid the brittle ordered phase.
What is the maximum service temperature of 18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H?
18K Rose Gold H04-1/2H is rated for continuous use to about 175°C (347 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 18K Rose Gold-O and 18K Rose Gold-AH?
O is the default condition — standard stock condition for sheet, wire and tube that will be bent, drawn, set or hand-formed. AH: best when maximum hardness and wear/dent resistance are needed — AuCu ordering nearly doubles the annealed hardness. Yield strength is 210 MPa in O versus 850 MPa in AH.
Sources
- ISO 9202 Jewellery — Fineness of precious metal alloys — ISO (2019)
- The Properties of Gold Jewellery Alloys (Gold Technology / Gold Bulletin series) — World Gold Council (2001)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (precious metals) — ASM International (1990)
- 18K red/rose casting and mill-product alloy datasheets — Legor / Hoover & Strong / Heraeus (2023)
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.