KARat gold Data

The thermal data was then grouped according to karat/color combinations, and a solidus temperature range was determined.

• The solidus temperature range for 10k yellow alloys was 1,480°F to 1,525°F (804°C to 829°C), a variation of 45°F.

• The solidus temperature range for 10k white alloys was 1,595°F to 1,790°F (868°C to 977°C), a variation of 195°F.

• The solidus temperatures for the 14k yellow alloys ranged from 1,410°F to 1,545°F (766°C to 841°C), a 135°F range variation. One thing to note here is that there is a 40°F temperature separation between the lowest two solidus temperatures in this group. Most alloys in this group were separated by 30°F or less.

• The solidus temperature range for 14k white alloys was 1,655°F to 1,770°F (902°C to 966°C), a 115°F variation.

• The solidus temperature range for the 18k yellow and nickel-white alloys was 1,585°F to 1,645°F (863°C to 896°C), a 60°F variation. If the solidus temperature range for 18k palladium-white alloys is included, the range extends up to 1,680°F (916°C), bringing the variation to 95°F.

Note that the entire solidus range for the 10k yellow alloys is encompassed within the solidus range of the 14k yellow alloys. The solidus range for the 10k alloys extends from 1,480°F to 1,525°F (804°C to 829°C), while the 14k alloys’ range is 1,410°F to 1,545°F (766°C to 841°C). This allows the 10k and 14k yellow alloys to share the same benchmark.

The average melting temperature for the 10k and 14k yellow range is 1,491°F. However, this average is below the liquidus temperature of two solders, which signaled that, as a benchmark, this temperature was in all likelihood too low. When the two lowest melting points were dropped, the average temperature rose to 1,505°F. This number was rounded up to the nearest 10° mark, to 1,510°F, to serve as the benchmark for the 10k and 14k yellow alloy group. Benchmarks were designated in a similar manner for the 10k and 14k white alloy group and the 18k alloy group.

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