Jun 05
2008Palladium and Platinum - the casting process
Filed Under (Industry And Manufacturing) by Renee on 05-06-2008
Among all the metals and alloys that are used for manufacturing of fine jewelry, palladium is the closest that you have till date to platinum, the costliest of the metals. Yet there are certain basic differences in the characteristics of the two metals and if you think that you can use your platinum experience for palladium, the proposition may be quite risky. One basic difference is that palladium casting requires a specially created environment or a vacuum so that very high quality casting is produced.
Moreover, palladium is prone to hydrogen effects that cause brittleness in the metals. Thus palladium is prone to oxidization. Therefore it is extremely essential that palladium is melted in hydrogen-free and non-oxidizing environment. The key to success in case of casting palladium is always the right atmosphere and environment to create an alloy that has the right characteristics and perfect hardness.
You have to put in place highly controlled process for casting of palladium. This requires effective and good process control. You just cannot manufacture items casted in palladium sitting on a bench with an acetylene torch. However some of the deficiencies could be made good if the technician is highly skilled.
Yet it is always better to have the right atmosphere and right equipment in place to have the optimum results. Scientists recommend use of propane and oxygen mix to be applied to palladium before casting and not the hydrogen-oxygen mix that is applied to platinum. Using this process you will be able to burn of the oxygen and the oxidation will be minimal.
Moreover, palladium is prone to hydrogen effects that cause brittleness in the metals. Thus palladium is prone to oxidization. Therefore it is extremely essential that palladium is melted in hydrogen-free and non-oxidizing environment. The key to success in case of casting palladium is always the right atmosphere and environment to create an alloy that has the right characteristics and perfect hardness.
You have to put in place highly controlled process for casting of palladium. This requires effective and good process control. You just cannot manufacture items casted in palladium sitting on a bench with an acetylene torch. However some of the deficiencies could be made good if the technician is highly skilled.
Yet it is always better to have the right atmosphere and right equipment in place to have the optimum results. Scientists recommend use of propane and oxygen mix to be applied to palladium before casting and not the hydrogen-oxygen mix that is applied to platinum. Using this process you will be able to burn of the oxygen and the oxidation will be minimal.
