Journal Archive

Platinum Metals Rev., 2002, 46, (2), 66

Jewellery-Related Properties Of Platinum

Low Thermal Diffusivity Permits Use of Laser Welding for Jewellery Manufacture


  • By John C. Wright
  • Consultant, Wilson-Wright Associates, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4LS, U.K.

Article Synopsis

The performance of precious metal alloys can be usefully compared by the application of engineering design theory and heat flow properties on the small scale that is required for jewellery production. Some of the physical and mechanical properties of Platinum jewellery alloys differ sufficiently from typical gold and silver alloys to require modifications in the processing techniques, but these properties may allow for stronger slender designs. The thermal diffusivity of Platinum jewellery alloys is significantly lower than that of other precious metal jewellery alloys. This explains why laser welding is so efficient when used in making platinum jewellery and why it also allows most of the cold work hardening to be retained in components.

Few jewellery designers or manufacturers start with a design specification, outline a design, detail a materials specification and optimise the production ability — which is the usual procedure in the manufacture of engineering components. Critical engineering design not only integrates mechanical design (such as stress/strain behaviour) with the properties of the materials and their interaction with the production process, but also has to take into account how all these factors have to operate in an acceptable economic and environmental framework. Most of the worldwide jewellery industry takes a traditional view that depends on a relatively narrow range of processes and materials and favours batch processing rather than mass production.

By applying engineering design theory and heat flow physical properties on the small scale required for jewellery, the performances of precious metal alloys can be compared. For example, properties such as Young's modulus, elastic limit stress and work hardenability of platinum jewellery alloys are significantly higher than those of the other precious metal jewellery alloys. This combination of properties can explain the favourable ‘dead-set’ capability of platinum settings, that is, claws/prongs and similar settings when pushed against gemstones tend to remain in position and show little ‘spring-back'.

Table I

Typical Parameters of Jewellery Laser Welding Machines

Machine size, height χ width χ depth 700-1350 χ 250-550 χ 650-860 mm
Weight 85-150kg
Input power supply 115 or 200-240V,50–60 Hz
Max average operating power 30-80 W*
Focal spot diameter 0.2-2.0 mm
Pulse energy 0.0.5-80 J (W s)
Peak pulse power 4.5-10kW
Pulse duration 0.5-20 ms
Pulse frequency single to 10 Hz
Pulse energising voltage 200–400 V**

Average light bulb power but in phase, so equivalent to much higher power density.

Voltage used to trigger xenon flash, in turn, affects laser beam output power

The thermal diffusivities of the Platinum alloys used for jewellery are significantly lower than those for gold and silver, which explains why laser welding is so efficient and also why it allows more of the cold work hardening of jewellery alloys to be retained in components.

Laser Welding of Jewellery

Laser machines for jewellery are compact, low-powered and safe, see Figure 1. They weld most alloys quickly, repeatably and precisely, but the efficiency of the laser process depends very much on the properties of the target material. The energy that is effectively used in the welding depends on the surface absorption of the target and is controlled by adjusting pulse intensity, duration and pulse frequency. The laser welding effectiveness depends on properties of absorption, reflection and any chemical reactions of the target material. Components to be joined, or upgraded (repaired) in the case of castings, are arranged under visual control or jigged, and exposed to one or more laser pulses. A stereomicroscope and cross hairs facilitate the positioning of the parts and help to target the exact position where the laser pulse will strike.

Fig 1.

A YAG laser used for jewellery welding (l). Most jewellery lasers are Class 1 lasers. The workpiece is irradiated by the narrow laser beam which heats up a small, controllable surface area of the platinum or platinum alloy jewellery to well above the melting point (1772-2000°C). Precise targeting allows welds to be made ~ 0.2 mm from heat-sensitive parts. Jewellery to be welded is placed in the upper compartment; the stereomicroscope aids positionin

Photo courtesy of Rofin-Baasel UK Ltd.

The laser welding machine is easier to use if the shape of the beam in the working zone is cylindri-cal; this is because the spot diameter does not change over a range of focus of several millimetres, see Figure 2. A typical laser pulse lasts from 1 to 20 millseconds and suitable adjustments can be made for various materials through trial and error, but certain heat flow data allow good predictions of suitable welding parameters. Material properties which need to be taken into account when welding jewellery alloys, including latent heats of melting and corresponding thermal conductivities, are available but these values are more accurately known at or near room temperature than around the melting point. Despite the high energy needed to melt platinum alloys, their relatively low thermal diffusivity allows the heat to be retained/concentrated at the target, so they can be efficiently welded. However, platinum jewellery alloys have casting temperatures around 20000C and high Solidification rates, so the challenge is for compact laser machines to achieve this.

Fig 2.

A good quality laser beam is one where the beam shape in the working area is cylindrical so that the spot diameter is constant over several millimetres of focus.

The very high intensity laser pulse generates a surface temperature well above the melting point of platinum over a very small diameter target spot. This allows controlled welding, under ideal conditions, as close as 0.2 mm from complicated and heat-sensitive component parts, such as hinges, catches, fasteners, settings, most precious stones, and even, with care, pearls and organic materials. Provided that the heat flow away from the target is limited, it is possible to retain heat treated or cold worked hardness in most jewellery alloys; this works particularly well with platinum jewellery alloys.

The settings given in Table II are based on a beam diameter of about 0.5 mm on the materials stated and may need adjustment for other compositions. The main control settings on the laser machine (power/energy, beam diameter, durations) have slightly different effects on any one material, as shown in Figure 3. Different materials can have very different values for thermal diffusivity, melting temperatures and latent heats of melting. The way these properties combine together has a marked effect on the energy intensity needed to produce an effective weld. Welding is achieved only when adequate heat is absorbed through the surface, not when the beam is reflected off the surface, so surface colour and reflectivity have to be taken into consideration. Where there is a combination of high reflectivity and high heat dispersion (for instance in silver and high carat golds), it is helpful to mark and darken the target spot or line with a dark blue or black felt tip pen or permanent marker. This effectively increases the absorption coefficient of the surface.

Table II

Typical Laser Welding Parameters For Some Jewellery Materials

Alloy composition Pulse energising voltage**, V Pulse duration, ms Comments
Platinum, All 200-300 1.5-10 Very good welding results
Gold, 999 fine 300–400 10-20 Darken target area; high power necessary
Gold, 18 ct yellow 250-300 2.5-10 Good welding results
Gold, 18 ct white 250-280 1.7-5.0 Very good welding results
Silver, 925, 835 300-400 7.0-20 Darken target area; high power necessary
Titanium 200-300 2.0–4.0 Weld in inert gas inside the laser welding machine
Stainless steel 200-300 2.0-15 Weld in inert gas inside the laser welding machine

Voltage used to trigger the xenon flash affecfs the outpuf power of the laser heam used,for the diferent materials

Fig 3.

Effect of different laser settings of voltage, duration of beam pulse and beam diameter on the cross-section of the heat affected zon.

(a) Increasing the voltage increases the penetration of the beam.

(b) Increasing the duration of the pulse increases the total pulse energy and radial heat flow.

(c) Increasing the beam diameter at constant pulse energy gives heat spread rather than penetration

Why Platinum Responds well

The efficiency of a laser welding machine differs from alloy to alloy. While the same set of control parameters will result in the same power delivered in each welding pulse, the melting effect of each pulse depends on the proportion of the heat energy absorbed and then on the rate at which the heat is dissipated from the melting/welding zone. This is not simply a function of the thermal conductivity. Thermal conductivity is defined as the rate of heat transferred through a volume whose two extremes are at different but constant temperatures — a steady state. However, what matters more in dependable practical workshop technology, is how the heat is transferred from a hot-spot, such as where a welding torch touches a surface, through a mass whose temperature rises as a consequence, and thus where the ‘low’ temperature end is not at constant temperature. This property is best described by thermal diffusivity, still very dependent on conductivity but modified by the specific heat of the metal related to the volume:

The heat input parameters are:

  • Specific heat of Solid up to the melting point

  • Melting (liquidus) temperature

  • Latent heat of melting

  • Specific heat of the superheated melt

  • Thermal diffusivity

Melting points for most platinum alloys are high, but thermal diffusivities are relatively low (Table III) so the laser is able to deliver enough energy to melt a very small focused spot at each pulse but with only a small heat affected zone. With the possible exception of Palladium, all the Platinum group jewellery alloys respond in the same way to identical settings of a laser machine. Slight differences in surface colour when melting in air (alloys containing copper and cobalt tend to be a little greyer) have little effect on the optimum settings. Gold and silver alloys have lower melting points but five to seven times higher capacity to transmit heat away from the target.

The units used in Table II are c.g.s. units. This is because they fit the scale of jewellery alloys better than SI units (which rates thermal diffusivity in J m2 s-1) and the interest here is in the order of the effect rather than calculating the actual heat flow. The data for the pure metals are known most accurately around room temperature (2, 3) and data for the alloys were calculated from the properties of the pure metals, based on alloy composition by weight. The fullest version of the data was used where available. For instance, data for Platinum, gold and silver have been more extensively studied than for, say, ruthenium. However, the data in Table III have been ratio-nallsed to two decimal places to give greater uniformity, while acknowledging that the accuracy at higher temperatures is questionable.

Table III

Melting Points and Thermal Diffusivities for Platinum Alloys and Other Jewellery Materials

Metal/Alloy Liquidus temperature, 0C Density, g cm-3 Thermal conductivity, cal (s 0C cm)-1 Latent heat, cal g-1 Mean specific heat, cal g-1 0C-1 at 500C Thermal diffusivity, cm2 s_1
999 Platinum 1772 21.45 0.17 27.13 0.03 0.25
990 Platinum 1772 21.45 0.17 27.13 0.03 0.25
Copper 1084.5 8.93 0.96 48.90 0.09 1.17
Pt-5% Copper 1745 20.38 0.21 28.22 0.04 0.29
Cobalt 1494 8.80 0.12 63.00 0.10 0.13
Pt-5% Cobalt 1765 20.34 0.17 28.68 0.04 0.23
Iridium 2447 22.55 0.14 51.09 0.03 0.20
Pt-5% Iridium 1795 21.51 0.17 28.33 0.03 0.24
Pt-10% Iridium 1800 21.56 0.17 29.53 0.03 0.24
Pt-15% Iridium 1820 21.62 0.17 27.31 0.03 0.24
Pt-20% Iridium 1830 21.67 0.16 31.92 0.03 0.24
Palladium 1554 12.00 0.17 38.00 0.06 0.24
Pt-5% Palladium 1765 20.98 0.17 27.67 0.03 0.24
Pt-10% Palladium 1755 20.51 0.17 28.22 0.04 0.24
Pt-15% Palladium 1750 20.03 0.17 28.76 0.04 0.24
Rhodium 1963 12.42 0.21 53.00 0.06 0.29
Pt-5% Rhodium 1820 21.00 0.17 28.42 0.03 0.25
Ruthenium 2310 12.36 0.28 91.19 0.06 0.40
Pt-5% Ruthenium 1795 21.00 0.18 30.31 0.03 0.25
Tungsten 3387 19.25 0.35 61.00 0.03 0.54
Pt-5% Tungsten 1845 21.34 0.18 29.17 0.03 0.27
Fine Gold 1064.43 19.28 0.76 15.21 0.03 1.25
Fine Silver 961.93 10.50 1.02 25.30 0.06 1.74
Sterling Silver 893 10.40 1.00 26.40 0.06 1.66

The laser beam does its most effective work at or near the melting point of the target metal so we should be more interested in data at and near melting point temperatures. Thermal conductivity increases with temperature: for Platinum from 0.171 at 300 K to 0.230 at 1800 K; and at the melting point it is around 0.24. Specific heat (more correctly, molar heat at constant pressure, Cp) within a single-phase region also increases with temperature according to a polynomial function:

For Platinum, a = 5.755, b = 0.00150.5, C. = –0.185 x 10-6, so the specific heat increases from 0.0316 at 273 K to 0.0452 at 2046 K.

Density decreases by the cube of the coefficient of linear expansion with temperature, which for Platinum is 8.9 × 10–6 This means that a cube of platinum, sides of 1 cm, at 273 K (21.40 g) would expand to a 1.016 cm-sided cube at 2046 K, or volume 1.049 cm3, which is almost 5% less dense — at 20.04. On these assumptions, the thermal diffusivity of Solid Platinum at the melting point is approximately 0.265 instead of 0.245, about an 8% increase. All the Platinum jewellery alloys have thermal diffusivities of the order of 0.23 to 0.27. A similar argument applied to silver, shows its thermal diffusivity decreases from 1.74 to 1.31 (near its melting point).

The heat energy contained within 1 cm3 cubes of liquid Platinum, gold and silver at 100 K above their respective melting points, are 1854, 956, and 878 cal, respectively. Although the heat contents of molten Platinum jewellery alloys are roughly double those of gold or silver, their thermal diffusivities are about one fifth of that for gold and one seventh of that of silver. So the rate of heat input to the target can still substantially exceed the rate of outward heat diffusion. In effect this means that the laser beam can be placed very close to delicate stones with Platinum, and that normally it is unnecessary to remove stones before making repairs. A skilled operator can weld the surface without scarring and most components can be polished to ‘near finish’ before welding. Alternatively, components can be ‘tack welded’, adjusted to the correct position and final welds made with laser settings that improve the cosmetic finish of the tack welds.

Another feature of the localised heating effect of the laser is that dissimilar alloys can be joined more readily than when using bulk melting. There are incompatible pairs of metals, but a laser welding machine can produce narrow weld zones where the change in colour or texture between the two components is sharper and better delineated than in alternate technologies. The most obvious common feature of a typical range of laser welded Platinum jewellery is that remarkably small sections, thin stampings and fine wire can be at least stitch welded with precision. More extensive welds and repairs of casting defects (see later section) can be made by a series of overlapping pulses. As the laser is limited to joints that can be hit by the direct beam, deep and undercut sites should be avoided.

Jewellery Design

Several components in the jewellery shown in Figure 4 have been elastically stressed to give springiness and rigidity. The tightly localised and limited heat diffusivity allows springy and hard components to be joined with little or no softening. This enables designs that make good use of lightweight springy sections or robust fasteners. The very limited heat affected zones also allow joining of more dissimilar alloys (assay rules per-rmtting) than would be possible with large scale melting. In good commercial practice all the components could have a high degree of finish prior to joining. Most of the high finish is preserved, and it is clearly easier before welding to clean up and polish separate components than finished pieces.

Fig 4.

Platinum jewellery (not to scale) by Tom Rucker, who used laser welding in its assembly:

(a) A 16 ct beryl pendant (back view) made in platinum-5% copper. The beryl is held between 2 laser-welded rails. This design could only be achieved by laser welding.

(b) This diamond brooch made in platinum-20% iridium and 18 ct yellow gold was completely laser welded.

(c) Necklace with diamond brilliants, sappliires and pearls (2nd Prize, International Pearl Design Contest, Tokyo, 1999/2000) made in platinum-20% iridium and 18 ct yellow gold. The 0.6 mm diameter wire is assembled crosswise in two levels and laser welded.

(d) The ‘Sea of Lights’ necklace made in platinum and 18 ct yellow gold with a 1.3 ct diamond brilliant. In the centre of the gold bowl is a brilliant cut diamond held in tension by 4 crossing platinum wires ~ 0.7 mm thick. The setting is so secure that brilliants up to 2 ct are used. The bowl is surrounded at the back by a cage of 0.4 mm platinum wire which also holds the bearing.

(e) A necklace with pearl clasp made in platinum-20% iridium. Platinum wire was wound onto the surface of a wooden ball and laser welded. The ball was then burned away. The wire balls appear fragile, but the strong Pt-Ir alloy structure gives a Solid result

Upgrading and Repairs

There are probably as many laser welding machines used for upgrading castings as there are for making welded pieces. Some surface defects can be repaired at the fettling stage but small pinholes sometimes show up later during polishing. The expense to both the finisher and caster of returning such components for recasting is often avoidable by using the laser welder to upgrade the castings, particularly when casting and finishing operations are on the same site.

A small area of rough surface texture may be glossed by using a rapid repeat sequence of pulses with the laser beam set relatively wide and shallow. Small pinhole defects (around 0.25 mm) can be filled by similarly pulsing around the edge of the defect. Larger defects can be effectively filled with fine filler wire touched into the defect, cut to size with the laser beam striking the wire and then lev-elling the filler down to the original surface. The colour of the filler can usually be matched accurately to that of the casting. The principle of relatively low thermal diffusivities of Platinum jewellery alloys when used with a laser machine, whether for upgrading castings or for welding, are virtually identical.

Conclusion

Comparing jewellery alloys, the necessary heat inputs to melt Platinum alloys are high compared with gold and silver alloys, but thermal diffusivities are significantly lower. One effect is that heat is more localised around hot-spots than with gold and silver.

Most Platinum jewellery alloys show the relatively high stress necessary to exceed the elastic limit, followed by a high rate of plastic work hardening which also raises the ‘bend-back’ stress. Components may have useful strength and springiness in slender sections, and these extra properties acquired before laser welding can be retained after assembly.

References

  1. 1
    Rofin-Baasel UK Ltd., (formerly Baasel Lasertech UK Ltd.), Drayton Fields, Daventry, NNl1 5RB
  2. 2
    "Kempe's Engineers Yearbook 2000”, Miller Freeman, Tonbridge, U.K, 2000
  3. 3
    "CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics”, 76th Edn., CRC, Boca Raton, 1995-1996

Acknowledgements

I gratefully acknowledge technical advice from Michael Batchelor and David MacLellan of Rofin-Baasel UK Ltd.; www.rofin.com. I am indebted to Tom Rucker of Anton Rucker, Ottostrasse 80, 85521, Ottobrunn, Germany, who puts the technology expressed in this paper into very effective artistic design, and for permission to use several of his designs.

The Author

John Wright is a former Professor of industrial metallurgy at the University of Aston in Birmingham. Currently, he is a consultant for the jewellery industry worldwide with Wilson-Wright Associates.

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