Precious Metal 18K White Gold 1/2H
Supply condition
1/2H = half hard
Good compromise of springiness and workability for clasps, pin stems and shanks.
Values for the 1/2H condition
Other 18K White Gold tempers and conditions
18K White Gold is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 18K White Gold.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Palladium white (Au750–Pd10-15–Ag–Cu), nickel-free | Pick for hypoallergenic, ductile, laser-weldable white gold with a soft grey-white tone; higher price and pour temperature. | 270 | 500 | 38 | 124 HB | 5.2 % IACS |
As cast | Condition of finished cast jewellery straight from the flask before any hardening or heavy working. | 290 | 480 | 18 | 138 HB | 6.3 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault soft, solution/recrystallisation annealed sheet, wire or strip | Standard stock condition for sheet, wire and tube that will be bent, drawn, raised or set. | 300 | 520 | 35 | 128 HB | 6.5 % IACS |
Nickel white (Au750–Ni8-12–Cu–Zn), hard whitening system | Cheaper, harder and whiter than Pd-white and age-hardenable, but must meet EU nickel-release limits and cracks easily when cold worked. | 380 | 620 | 22 | 175 HV | — |
Quarter hard | Choose when a little extra stiffness is needed but further bending or setting is still required. | 430 | 620 | 18 | 157 HB | 6.3 % IACS |
1/2HThis page Half hard | Good compromise of springiness and workability for clasps, pin stems and shanks. | 560 | 720 | 8 | 185 HB | 6.1 % IACS |
Hardened | For spring clasps, earring posts and pin stems where maximum elastic strength matters and no further forming is done. | 700 | 830 | 3 | 19 HRC | 6 % IACS |
Age-hardened | Use on Cu/Ni-bearing white golds when maximum hardness and wear/scratch resistance is required on finished parts. | 760 | 900 | 4 | 24 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
What is 18K White Gold 1/2H?
18K White Gold 1/2H is 18K White Gold supplied in the 1/2H condition — good compromise of springiness and workability for clasps, pin stems and shanks. 18K White Gold 1/2H has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 97% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 95 GPa (13.8 Msi). 18K White Gold 1/2H has a density of 15.8 g/cm³ (0.571 lb/in³), heavier than 80% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,130°C (2,066 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 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 — 560 MPa (81.2 ksi), better than 97% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 92% of precious metal grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6.1 % IACS, worse than 91% of precious metal grades
- Poor heat conductor — 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 50/100, worse than 90% of precious metal grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 89% of precious metal grades
18K White Gold 1/2H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 18K White Gold 1/2H; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 18K White Gold reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
18K White Gold 1/2H has a density of 15.8 g/cm³ (0.571 lb/in³), heavier than 80% of precious metal grades. It melts at 1,130°C (2,066 °F).
Mechanical13
18K White Gold 1/2H has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 97% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 95 GPa (13.8 Msi).
Thermal6
18K White Gold 1/2H is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 14.5 µm/m·K (8.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
18K White Gold 1/2H conducts electricity at 6.1 % IACS, worse than 91% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 73% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 18K White Gold 1/2H takes about 190,000 MJ of energy and emits 12,000 kg of CO₂ — more than 81% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
18K White Gold 1/2H's machinability is good (66/100, better than 101% of precious metal grades); weldability good (65/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 18K White Gold 1/2H
Is 18K White Gold easy to machine?
Turns and mills well with sharp, polished carbide or HSS tools at high speed and light feed; the soft annealed alloy is gummy, so use lubricants and collect every chip for refining.
Can 18K White Gold be welded?
Pd-white laser- and PUK-welds cleanly with matching filler; Ni-white is prone to hot cracking, so prefer graded gold solders (650–800 °C) and post-solder homogenisation.
Can 18K White Gold be formed, bent or molded?
Pd-white draws, rolls and raises readily with intermediate anneals at 700–750 °C followed by water quench; Ni-white needs ≥30 % smaller reductions between anneals; investment casting flask 550–650 °C with pour 60–100 °C above liquidus.
What surface finishes work on 18K White Gold?
Polishes to a mirror with rouge/diamond compound and is almost always electroplated with 0.1–0.3 µm rhodium for a cool white tone; re-plating is required periodically on worn items.
18K White 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‰ fineness per ISO 9202 / GB 11887 | 74.5 – 75.5 | 75 |
| Pdprimary whitener in nickel-free grades | 8 – 16 | 12.5 |
| Ag | 2 – 12 | 7 |
| Curaises hardness, slightly warms the colour | 0 – 8 | 4 |
| Zndeoxidiser / fluidity aid in casting alloys | 0 – 3 | 1 |
| Ni8–12 % in Ni-white variants; nickel release must meet EN 1811 / EU REACH Annex XVII | 0 – 12 | 0 |
| Iroptional grain refiner | 0 – 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Othersbalance of alloying/trace elements to 100 % | balance | — |
18K White Gold 1/2H — frequently asked
What is 18K White Gold 1/2H used for?
18K White Gold 1/2H is typically used for engagement rings, watch cases and fine jewelry settings. In short: strongest 18K colour; platinum look, lower cost; pd-white preferred for welding.
What is the yield strength of 18K White Gold 1/2H?
18K White Gold 1/2H has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 97% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 18K White Gold 1/2H easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (66/100, better than 101% of precious metal grades). Turns and mills well with sharp, polished carbide or HSS tools at high speed and light feed; the soft annealed alloy is gummy, so use lubricants and collect every chip for refining.
Can 18K White Gold 1/2H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Pd-white laser- and PUK-welds cleanly with matching filler; Ni-white is prone to hot cracking, so prefer graded gold solders (650–800 °C) and post-solder homogenisation.
What surface finishes work on 18K White Gold 1/2H?
Polishes to a mirror with rouge/diamond compound and is almost always electroplated with 0.1–0.3 µm rhodium for a cool white tone; re-plating is required periodically on worn items.
Can 18K White Gold 1/2H be formed, bent or molded?
Pd-white draws, rolls and raises readily with intermediate anneals at 700–750 °C followed by water quench; Ni-white needs ≥30 % smaller reductions between anneals; investment casting flask 550–650 °C with pour 60–100 °C above liquidus.
What is the maximum service temperature of 18K White Gold 1/2H?
18K White Gold 1/2H is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 18K White Gold Annealed and 18K White Gold-AH?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stock condition for sheet, wire and tube that will be bent, drawn, raised or set. AH: use on Cu/Ni-bearing white golds when maximum hardness and wear/scratch resistance is required on finished parts. Yield strength is 300 MPa in Annealed versus 760 MPa in AH.
Sources
- ISO 9202 Jewellery — Fineness of precious metal alloys — ISO (2019)
- EN 1811 Reference test method for release of nickel — CEN (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Precious Metals) — ASM International (1990)
- Gold Bulletin — karat gold alloy metallurgy and white gold papers — World Gold Council / Springer (2005)
- Casting and mill product alloy datasheets for 18 ct white golds — Legor Group / C.Hafner / Hoover & Strong (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.