Precious Metal Gold 14K · temper · default condition
Precious Metal Gold 14K-O
Properties of the O condition, compared with the other Gold 14K tempers.
Standard stocked condition for sheet, wire and tube that must be bent, drawn, raised or set with stones.
What is Gold 14K-O?
Gold 14K-O is Gold 14K in the O temper — standard stocked condition for sheet, wire and tube that must be bent, drawn, raised or set with stones. Gold 14K-O has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 50% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 79 GPa (11.5 Msi). Gold 14K-O 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).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 60/100, better than 97% of precious metal grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 38%, better than 89% of precious metal grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 86% of precious metal grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 79% of precious metal grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 79 GPa (11.5 Msi), worse than 86% of precious metal grades
- High embodied carbon — 12,000 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 77% of precious metal grades
Gold 14K-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for Gold 14K-O — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Gold 14K temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the precious metal grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Gold 14K-O 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-O has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 50% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 79 GPa (11.5 Msi).
Thermal6
Gold 14K-O is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 130 W/m·K (75.1 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-O conducts electricity at 15.5 % IACS, worse than 64% of precious metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), better than 50% of precious metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Gold 14K-O 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-O's machinability is good (60/100, better than 97% of precious metal grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other Gold 14K tempers and conditions
Gold 14K is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Gold 14K overview.
- ODefaultStandard stocked condition for sheet, wire and tube that must be bent, drawn, raised or set with stones.200 MPa yield · 130 HB
- Cold WorkedDefault hard condition for drawn wire, pins, clasps and pen nibs where strength and springiness matter.550 MPa yield · 200 HV
Working with Gold 14K-O
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-O — frequently asked
What is Gold 14K-O used for?
Gold 14K-O is typically used for jewelry, watch cases and earrings. In short: workhorse 14K jewelry gold.
What is the yield strength of Gold 14K-O?
Gold 14K-O has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 50% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is Gold 14K-O easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 97% 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-O be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). 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-O?
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-O 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-O?
Gold 14K-O is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °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.
Can FabDigit make parts in Gold 14K-O?
Yes — Gold 14K-O is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
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.