Ultra White is a nickel-based fabrication master alloy designed for making 14K and 18K white gold alloys. It offers high tensile strength and contains no silver or gold. Sold by the troy ounce (20 pennyweights / 31.1 grams), this alloy is also suitable for casting applications. Note: proprietary metals are present in the formulation that are not reflected in the published composition; the alloy may also contain silicon and deoxidizers.
Features
- Nickel-based master alloy for 14K–18K white gold fabrication
- High tensile strength
- Contains no silver and no gold
- Suitable for both fabrication and casting
- Sold by the troy ounce (20 DWT / 31.1 g)
Specifications
| Alloy Base |
Nickel-based |
| Composition (Cu) |
59.9% |
| Composition (Zn) |
20% |
| Composition (Ni) |
20% |
| Additional Constituents |
Proprietary metals; may also contain silicon and deoxidizers |
| Recommended Karat Range |
14K–18K white gold |
| Initial Melting Temperature |
1070°C / 1958°F |
| Pouring Temp – 14K Ingots |
1010°C / 1850°F |
| Pouring Temp – 18K Ingots |
1015°C / 1860°F |
| Annealing Temperature |
732°C / 1350°F for 20 minutes |
| Sold By |
Troy ounce (20 DWT / 31.1 g) |
Notes
Melting: Melt the alloy and fine gold together in a clean crucible — place the alloy on the bottom and fine gold on top. Use boric acid flux to keep metal clean. Stir thoroughly before pouring. A neutral or reducing cover gas is strongly recommended for white gold alloys.
Pouring: Pour into a preheated vertical graphite mold or a lightly lubricated iron mold using a steady, even motion. Slow the pour at the end to minimize shrinkage at the top of the ingot. Use a round rod mold for wire; use an L-shaped 2-piece mold for plate and sheet.
Do Not Quench: Remove the ingot from the mold and allow it to air cool. Nickel white gold alloys will be significantly softer if allowed to air cool after pouring and after each anneal. Soak in hot pickle solution to remove surface oxides.
Fabrication: Clean the ingot of all oxide and flux before rolling. Reduce the ingot by 50% before each anneal — too small a reduction can cause cracking during anneal. Clean in hot pickle after each anneal. Keep rolls, dies, and metal clean to prevent surface defects.
Annealing: Anneal at 732°C / 1350°F for 20 minutes. Do not quench — allow to air cool. Apply a boric acid fire coat before annealing in an open-atmosphere oven to limit oxidation. Avoid over-annealing, which can cause excessive grain growth, orange-peel surface texture, or reduced strength.
Remelting: Use a 30% scrap to 70% fresh mix. Nickel white gold alloys have approximately one-third the reusability of yellow gold alloys.
Additional Guidelines: Use very little boric acid flux. Do not use carbon-based flux (e.g., soda ash, saltpeter). No flux is required in a bottom-pour automatic casting unit. Avoid aggressive acids, which can cause corrosion and surface damage. To calculate required metal weight in grams, multiply density (g/cc) by wax weight (g) and add 10% for the button. Gypsum-bonded investment is recommended — follow the manufacturer's burnout cycle instructions.
