M2028 Materials Technology

Team Problem #3, Individual Report:

All that Glitters is not gold!

By:

Role: Tracker

From Team: Grease Monkeys

Professor:
M2028 Materials Technology

Abstract

This report involves a problem provided during the course of Materials Technology,
researching for the topics related to the given data, thus developing proper
knowledge to advice the company.

Objective of the research

Premise: A company dedicated to production and distribution of jewelry, exports

mainly to Europe. The first production runs were well accepted, but after some time
the clients complained about a particular product line (18k).

Problem solution target: Detect the possible causes for the failures on the product;
make considerations about the manufacturing processes.

What do I know:

Gold used in jewelry is actually a mix of it with silver and copper.

The hardness is measured in Vickers, so it is really hard.

What do I need to know:

How the karat unit works and what does it mean?

Standard for European jewelry

How is the merchandise transported?

Manufacturing process for rings. Lost wax process?

Jewelry alloys.

Mechanical/chemical properties
M2028 Materials Technology

Results

Jewelry could be made out from pure gold or silver; however, pure gold and pure
silver are extremely soft and malleable. Jewelers add copper to gold and silver so
that the jewelry will retain its shape.

In the copper-nickel (Cu-Ni) system, we intentionally introduce a solid substitutional

atom (nickel) into the original crystal structure (copper). The copper-nickel alloy is
stronger than pure copper.

Lost Wax Process

In INVESTMENT CASTING, also kwon as Lost Wax Process, wax patterns are
made, and then assembled on a tree with feeding and gating systems.

The wax pattern is dipped into a refractory slurry, then covered in a refractory
stucco, and allowed to dry for a number of hours. This is the first coat. The
procedure is repeated a number of times, usually until about 8 coats of refractory
have been achieved. This is the ceramic investment shell. The wax is then melted
out and the ceramic shell fired before the molten metal is cast into it.

Air pressure, vacuum or centrifugal pressure can be used to ensure complete filling
of the mold when complex, thin sections are involved. The mold is broken up to
remove the castings.

The process is suitable for most metals with melting points below 2500K. Because
the wax pattern is melted out, shapes can be very complex with contours,
undercuts, bosses, recesses, etc.
M2028 Materials Technology

Process schematic

European Standards

REACH is the code name for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and

restriction of Chemicals, the European Union regulation.

For the jewelry, the main REACH appendix 17 substances are lead, cadmium,
nickel release and adjacent benzene two formic acid salt.

Laws and regulations Control project Limit value

Cadmium and
REACH ANNEX XVII 23 100ppm
its compounds
Puncture resistance: 0.2 g/cm2/week
REACH ANNEX XVII 27 Nickel release prolonged contact with skin: 0.5
g/cm2/week
The adjacent
Children s jewelry: DIDP+DINP+DNOP shall
REACH ANNEX XVII 51&52 benzene two
not exceed the sum of 0.1%
formic acid salt
REACH ANNEX XVII 63 Lead 500ppm
REACH SVHC 144-SVHC 0.1% (over limit for notification)

* SVHC stands for Substances of Very High Concern

M2028 Materials Technology

Conclusions

The possible cause of the failure is not about the regulations and standards of the
European Union, because it describes mainly the toxicity of the materials, which is
not the issue reported on the problem.

References

[1] Askeland, D. (2011) The Science and Engineering of Materials, Cengage

Learning, Sixth Edition SI, page 385

[2] CES Edupack 2016 Software. (2016). Aluminum, 6061, T6. april 10, 2017.
by Granta Design Limited, 2016

[3] ASM. ( 2011). Materials Park. -: ASM Desk Editions Online.

[4] CBI Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2010), What requirements should jewellery
comply with to be allowed on the European market?,
https://www.cbi.eu/market-information/jewellery/buyer-requirements/

[5] Chiming Testing (2013), The European jewelry regulations and standards, .
april 10, 2017 http://cmc-lab.com/en/fnews_detail.asp?showid=15