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Precious Metal 22K-H02

Supply condition

GB Au916 · ISO 9202

H02 = half hard

Standard condition for bangles, tube stock and machined components needing better dent resistance.

High cost $$$$

Values for the H02 condition

Other 22K tempers and conditions

22K is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 22K.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
ANNDefault
Annealed
Default mill condition for hand fabrication, bending, chain making and stone setting.752203552 HB46 % IACS
As cast
Condition of lost-wax cast jewelry bodies before finishing; coarse grain gives lower strength and some porosity.802002255 HB45 % IACS
Quarter hard
Slight stiffening for sheet blanks that must hold shape yet still be formed by hand.1802751876 HB45 % IACS
Grain-refined / micro-alloyed 916 hard gold
Choose for lightweight hollow and stamped 916 jewelry where roughly double the annealed hardness is needed without lowering karatage.18030015100 HB42 % IACS
H02This page
Half hard
Standard condition for bangles, tube stock and machined components needing better dent resistance.250320895 HB44 % IACS
Full hard
Maximum strength condition for fine drawn wire, chain links and springy clasps; must be annealed before heavy forming.3203804114 HB43 % IACS

What is 22K-H02?

22K-H02 is 22K supplied in the H02 condition — standard condition for bangles, tube stock and machined components needing better dent resistance. 22K-H02 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 81% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi). 22K-H02 has a density of 17.8 g/cm³ (0.643 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of precious metal grades. It melts at 940°C (1,724 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H02 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 99% of precious metal grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 97/100, better than 88% of precious metal grades
  • Readily welded — 78/100, better than 84% of precious metal grades
  • High strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), better than 81% of precious metal grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 92% of precious metal grades
  • Low stiffness — 78 GPa (11.3 Msi), worse than 90% of precious metal grades
  • Limited formability — 55/100, worse than 89% of precious metal grades
  • High embodied carbon — 14,000 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 88% of precious metal grades
  • Heavy — 17.8 g/cm³ (0.643 lb/in³), worse than 87% of precious metal grades

22K-H02 properties

Typical room-temperature values for 22K-H02; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 22K reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.

Physical3

22K-H02 has a density of 17.8 g/cm³ (0.643 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of precious metal grades. It melts at 940°C (1,724 °F).

Density17.8 g/cm³0.64 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)940°C1,724 °F
Liquidus Temperature965°C1,769 °F

Mechanical12

22K-H02 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 81% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus78 GPa11.3 Msi
Shear Modulus28 GPa4.1 Msi
Bulk Modulus168 GPa24.4 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.42
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)320 MPa46.4 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)250 MPa36.3 ksi
Elongation at Break8%
Reduction in Area30%
Shear Strength208 MPa30.2 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)120 MPa17.4 ksi
Hardness, Brinell95 HB
Hardness, Vickers100 HV

Thermal6

22K-H02 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 198 W/m·K (114.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 69% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 14.6 µm/m·K (8.11 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity198 W/m·K114 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity133 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)14.6 µm/m·K8.1 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion63 J/g27.1 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)250°C482 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

22K-H02 conducts electricity at 44 % IACS, better than 69% of precious metal grades.

Electrical Conductivity44 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity3.92×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.54 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (97/100), better than 88% of precious metal grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)0.25 V
Corrosion ResistanceExcellent97/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryInert to atmosphere, sweat, chlorides, and most mineral acids; attacked only by aqua regia, free halogens, and cyanide/thiourea solutions. The ~5% Cu+Ag can give faint sulfide tarnish in polluted or sulfide-rich environments.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 22K-H02 takes about 200,000 MJ of energy and emits 14,000 kg of CO₂ — more than 85% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)200,000 MJ/kg8.6×10⁷ BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)14,000 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water150,000 L/kg17,974 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability8

22K-H02's machinability is good (62/100, better than 99% of precious metal grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability good (55/100).

MachinabilityGood62/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)57%
WeldabilityVery good78/100
Formability (cold)Good55/100
CastabilityExcellent85/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent95/100
PolishabilityExcellent92/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — gold does not anodize; decorative effects are achieved by plating, rhodium/ruthenium coating, or mechanical/chemical texturing

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 22K-H02

Is 22K easy to machine?

Gummy and smearing — use razor-sharp carbide or diamond tools, high speed, light feed, and collect all swarf for refining.

Can 22K be welded?

Excellent with laser/PUK welding and oxy-hydrogen torch; use matched 22K karat solders (easy/medium/hard) and borax-type flux, avoid Cd-bearing filler.

Can 22K be formed, bent or molded?

Outstanding cold formability — rolls to foil and draws to fine wire; interstage anneal at 600–700 °C with rapid quench every 50–60% reduction.

What surface finishes work on 22K?

Polishes to a deep-yellow mirror easily but is soft and scratch-prone; depletion gilding/acid bombing brightens cast surfaces, rhodium or hard-gold plating adds wear resistance.

22K 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Au916‰ minimum fineness per ISO 9202 / GB 1188791.6 – 92.591.7
Agraises ductility, shifts colour greener2 – 65
Zndeoxidiser/fluidity aid in casting alloys0 – 10.4
Ti+Ir+Ru (grain refiner)only in hard/grain-refined 916 variants0 – 0.150.05
Cubalance of alloying addition; deepens the yellow-red colour and hardens≥ 1.5 (balance)—

22K-H02 — frequently asked

What is 22K-H02 used for?

22K-H02 is typically used for traditional jewelry, bangles, coins and religious ornaments. In short: high gold content, workable; softer than 18K; fine-wire drawing grade.

What is the yield strength of 22K-H02?

22K-H02 has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 81% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is 22K-H02 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 99% of precious metal grades). Gummy and smearing — use razor-sharp carbide or diamond tools, high speed, light feed, and collect all swarf for refining.

Can 22K-H02 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Excellent with laser/PUK welding and oxy-hydrogen torch; use matched 22K karat solders (easy/medium/hard) and borax-type flux, avoid Cd-bearing filler.

What surface finishes work on 22K-H02?

Polishes to a deep-yellow mirror easily but is soft and scratch-prone; depletion gilding/acid bombing brightens cast surfaces, rhodium or hard-gold plating adds wear resistance.

Can 22K-H02 be formed, bent or molded?

Outstanding cold formability — rolls to foil and draws to fine wire; interstage anneal at 600–700 °C with rapid quench every 50–60% reduction.

What is the maximum service temperature of 22K-H02?

22K-H02 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between 22K-ANN and 22K-H04?

ANN is the default condition — default mill condition for hand fabrication, bending, chain making and stone setting. H04: maximum strength condition for fine drawn wire, chain links and springy clasps; must be annealed before heavy forming. Yield strength is 75 MPa in ANN versus 320 MPa in H04.

Sources

  1. ISO 9202 — Jewellery: Fineness of precious metal alloys — ISO (2019)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Precious Metals) — ASM International (1990)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (Noble Metals) — ASM International (2005)
  4. Karat gold jewelry alloy datasheets (sheet/wire/casting grain) — Precious-metal refiners (2023)
  5. Gold mining life-cycle inventory summaries — World Gold Council (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.