Surface Characterization and Machinability of Zirconium Alloys in View of Jewelry Application

Abstract:

The jewelry making has been traditionally considered handcrafted and hinged on the ability of goldsmiths to create components and assemblies. In recent years, however, a profound transformation has begun, driven by the global markets requiring robust engineering approaches to the analysis of new materials and of product/process optimization. Moreover, gold and silver were conventionally associated to the jewelry production, but the use of materials other than precious metals (such as steels, titanium alloys, woods and ceramics) is nowadays a standard for many companies. In this context, the research activities presented and described in this paper focus on the performance evaluation of a Zirconium alloy, in terms of material properties and machinability, for the application in the jewelry industry. Perspiration, salt spray and abrasion tests provided results comparable or even superior to those typical of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy, especially in case a Zirconia layer is induced on the Zirconium alloy through a properly designed oxidizing treatment. Machinability can be performed with conventional tools and equipment, and the production route of jewel prototypes is detailed.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 941-944)
• Pages: 18-25
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.941-944.18
• Online since: June 2014
• Authors: Ilaria Forno, Paolo Claudio Priarone*, Luca Settineri, Marco Actis Grande
• Keywords: Abrasion/Corrosion Resistance, Jewelry Industry, Machinability, Zirconium Alloy

References

[1] P. Danziger: Jewelry Report 2004, Stevens (PA): Unity Marketing.

[2] B. Biagi: The jewelry identity project, in: Proc. of the 5th Jewelry Technology Forum (JTF), Vicenza, Italy, pp.6-13 (2008).

[3] A. Menon: Areas of Research and Developments for the Jewelry Industry, in: Proc. of the 17th Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology, Eddie Bell editor, Albuquerque, New Mexico, pp.227-242 (2003).

[4] I. Forno, M. Actis Grande: Sintering: the applicability of the various powder metallurgy techniques in gold manufacturing, in: Proc. of the 9th Jewelry Technology Forum (JTF), Vicenza, Italy (2013).

[5] M. Actis Grande, L. Porta, D. Tiberto: Computer simulation of the investment casting process: widening of the filling step, in: Proc. of the 21st Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology, Eddie Bell editor, Albuquerque, New Mexico, pp.1-18 (2007).

[6] J. Fischer-Buehner: Improvement of Sterling Silver Investment Casting, in: Proc. of the 20th Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology, Eddie Bell editor, Nashville, Tennessee, pp.217-250 (2006).

[7] G. Penfold, F. Cooper: Current practices in the use of various rapid prototyping systems in the manufacture of Jewelry and Silversmithing, in: Proc. of the 2nd Jewelry Technology Forum (JTF), Vicenza, Italy, pp.121-140 (2005).

[8] I. Forno, M. Actis Grande: I Have Your Back - How Innovative and Advanced Materials Cover Design in Complex Model Manufacturing, in: Proc. of the 26th Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology, Eddie Bell editor, Albuquerque, New Mexico, pp.203-225 (2012).

[9] F. Cooper: Sintering and Additive Manufacturing: The New Paradigm for the Jewelry Manufacturer, in: Proc. of the 26th Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology, Eddie Bell editor, Albuquerque, New Mexico, pp.103-122 (2012).

DOI: 10.1007/bf03215612

[10] M. Khan, P. Dickens: Selective Laser Melting (SLM) of pure gold, Gold Bulletin 43(2), pp.114-121 (2011).

DOI: 10.1007/bf03214976

[11] J. Fischer-Bueher, P. Poliero, R. Bertoncello, A. Basso, M. Poliero: Rapid jewelry manufacturing by laser melting of precious metal powders (PLM): fiction or future?, in: Proc. of the 26th Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology, Eddie Bell editor, Albuquerque, New Mexico, pp.177-202 (2012).

DOI: 10.1007/bf03215612

[12] J.T. Strauss: Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) for Gold Jewellery Production, Gold Technology 20, pp.17-25 (1996).

[13] H. Hubert Mulin, P. Jacquet, M. Lambertin, D. Moinard-Checot, J.C. Bihr: Contribution to the development of 18 karat gold alloy shaped by MIM, in: PM Int. Conf. Proc., Firenze, Italy, (2010).

[14] A. Menon: New Metals and Alloys of Interest in the Jewelry Industry, in: Proc. of the 25th Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology, Eddie Bell editor, Albuquerque, New Mexico, pp.395-410 (2011).

[15] H. Schuster, A. Gagliano: Titanium Casting and Working Process for Jewelry Manufacturing, in: Proc. of the 20th Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology, Eddie Bell editor, Albuquerque, New Mexico, pp.421-434 (2006).

DOI: 10.1007/bf03215612

[16] L.D. Zardiackas, M.J. Kraay, H.L. Freese: Titanium, Niobium, Zirconium, and Tantalum for Medical and Surgical Applications, ASTM International, Ann Arbor (MI), (2005).

DOI: 10.1520/stp1471-eb

[17] T-L. Yau: Corrosion of Zirconium and its Alloys, Shreir's Corrosion, Tony JA Richardson editor, Elsevier, Oxford, pp.2094-2134 (2010).

DOI: 10.1016/b978-044452787-5.00101-3

[18] J.C. Haygarth, L.J. Fenwick: Improved wear resistance of zirconium by enhanced oxide films, Thin Solid Films 118(3), pp.351-362 (1984).

DOI: 10.1016/0040-6090(84)90205-0

[19] C. Marolda: Studio e valutazione dell'applicabilità di lega a base Zirconio per la realizzazione di accessori moda: proprietà caratteristiche, Dissertation (in Italian), Politecnico di Torino (2011).

[20] M. Actis Grande, G.C. Oliva: Transparent Coatings Applied in Jewelry: A Challenge for Success?, in Proc. of the 23rd Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology, Eddie Bell editor, Albuquerque, New Mexico, pp.1-28 (2009).

[21] A. Basso, R. Bertoncello, F. Bottell, F. Carli, J. Fisher-Buehner, M. Poliero: The Tarnishing of Silver Alloys: Causes and Possibilities, in: Proc. of the 24th Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology, Eddie Bell editor, Albuquerque, New Mexico, pp.1-26 (2010).