Precious Metal Gold 14K-H (Hardened)
Heat-treated state
Pick for springs, clips, catch tongues and thin wire where maximum elastic strength is required and no forming follows.
Values for the H condition
Other Gold 14K tempers and conditions
Gold 14K is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at Gold 14K.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Standard stocked condition for sheet, wire and tube that must be bent, drawn, raised or set with stones. | 200 | 400 | 38 | 130 HB | 15.5 % IACS |
As fabricated | Choose for cast jewellery bodies and settings straight from investment casting, before any work hardening. | 210 | 350 | 20 | 133 HB | 15 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Use when sheet or wire needs a little more stiffness but must still take moderate bending or riveting. | 380 | 520 | 15 | 157 HB | 15.2 % IACS |
Half hard | Common for ring shanks, bracelet links and eyeglass parts needing wear resistance with some residual ductility. | 480 | 620 | 8 | 176 HB | 14.9 % IACS |
hard drawn / rolled (~50 % reduction) | Default hard condition for drawn wire, pins, clasps and pen nibs where strength and springiness matter. | 550 | 700 | 4 | 190 HB | 14.5 % IACS |
Age hardened | Use for cast or finished parts that must be hardened after shaping — Au-Cu ordering raises hardness without cold work. | 620 | 780 | 8 | 19 HRC | 17 % IACS |
HThis page Hardened | Pick for springs, clips, catch tongues and thin wire where maximum elastic strength is required and no forming follows. | 700 | 800 | 2 | 20 HRC | 14.3 % IACS |
What is Gold 14K-H?
Gold 14K-H is Gold 14K heat treated to H — pick for springs, clips, catch tongues and thin wire where maximum elastic strength is required and no forming follows. Gold 14K-H has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 100% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 80 GPa (11.6 Msi). Gold 14K-H has a density of 13.07 g/cm³ (0.472 lb/in³), heavier than 70% of precious metal grades. It melts at 802°C (1,476 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 74/100, better than 101% of precious metal grades
- High strength — 700 MPa (102 ksi), better than 100% of precious metal grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 100% of precious metal grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 98% of precious metal grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 96% of precious metal grades
- High embodied carbon — 12,000 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 76% of precious metal grades
Gold 14K-H properties
Typical room-temperature values for Gold 14K-H; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Gold 14K reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.
Physical3
Gold 14K-H has a density of 13.07 g/cm³ (0.472 lb/in³), heavier than 70% of precious metal grades. It melts at 802°C (1,476 °F).
Mechanical11
Gold 14K-H has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 100% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 80 GPa (11.6 Msi).
Thermal6
Gold 14K-H is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 122 W/m·K (70.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 63% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 15.5 µm/m·K (8.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Gold 14K-H conducts electricity at 14.3 % IACS, worse than 68% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (74/100), worse than 63% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Gold 14K-H takes about 145,000 MJ of energy and emits 12,000 kg of CO₂ — more than 72% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
Gold 14K-H's machinability is very good (74/100, better than 101% of precious metal grades); weldability good (60/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Gold 14K-H
Is Gold 14K easy to machine?
Turns and engraves well with sharp carbide/HSS and light oil; annealed stock is gummy, so prefer 1/2-hard or harder and collect all swarf as scrap.
Can Gold 14K be welded?
Laser and pulse-arc (PUK) welding are routine with matching 14K filler; torch work uses graded karat solders (easy/medium/hard) to allow sequential joins.
Can Gold 14K be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent for rolling, drawing, raising and stamping in the annealed state; anneal at ~650 °C with rapid quench every 40–50 % reduction to avoid Cu-Au ordering embrittlement.
What surface finishes work on Gold 14K?
Polishes to a mirror easily; commonly rhodium-plated (white shades), gold-plated for colour matching, or bright-dipped — avoid chlorine bleach and hot sulphur pickles.
Gold 14K 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Au585‰ minimum fineness per ISO 9202 / GB 11887; refiners aim ~58.7 % for marking margin | 58.5 – 59.5 | 58.5 |
| Aghigher Ag = greener/paler yellow | 4 – 30 | 9 |
| Zndeoxidiser, lowers melting range, brightens colour | 0 – 5 | 4 |
| Sitrace grain refiner/deoxidiser in casting grades | 0 – 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Ir/Ruoptional grain refiner in casting alloys | 0 – 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Cubalance; higher Cu = red/rose tone and greater age-hardening response | ≥ 8 (balance) | — |
Gold 14K-H — frequently asked
What is Gold 14K-H used for?
Gold 14K-H is typically used for jewelry, watch cases and earrings. In short: workhorse 14K jewelry gold.
What is the yield strength of Gold 14K-H?
Gold 14K-H has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 100% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is Gold 14K-H easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (74/100, better than 101% of precious metal grades). Turns and engraves well with sharp carbide/HSS and light oil; annealed stock is gummy, so prefer 1/2-hard or harder and collect all swarf as scrap.
Can Gold 14K-H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Laser and pulse-arc (PUK) welding are routine with matching 14K filler; torch work uses graded karat solders (easy/medium/hard) to allow sequential joins.
What surface finishes work on Gold 14K-H?
Polishes to a mirror easily; commonly rhodium-plated (white shades), gold-plated for colour matching, or bright-dipped — avoid chlorine bleach and hot sulphur pickles.
Can Gold 14K-H be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent for rolling, drawing, raising and stamping in the annealed state; anneal at ~650 °C with rapid quench every 40–50 % reduction to avoid Cu-Au ordering embrittlement.
What is the maximum service temperature of Gold 14K-H?
Gold 14K-H 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 Gold 14K-O and Gold 14K-H?
O is the default condition — standard stocked condition for sheet, wire and tube that must be bent, drawn, raised or set with stones. H: pick for springs, clips, catch tongues and thin wire where maximum elastic strength is required and no forming follows. Yield strength is 200 MPa in O versus 700 MPa in H.
Sources
- ISO 9202 — Jewellery: fineness of precious metal alloys — ISO (2019)
- ASTM B562 — Refined Gold — ASTM (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Precious Metals section) — ASM International (1990)
- 14K yellow casting and mill-product alloy datasheets — Legor Group / Hoover & Strong (2023)
- Gold Bulletin / World Gold Council technical notes on karat gold alloys — World Gold Council (2021)
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.