A new process for producing wedding and engagement rings from powdered gold, silver and platinum is set to revolutionise the way in which rings are made. The process, developed by researchers at Engelhard-CLAL, will allow manufacturers to mass-produce rings that are cheaper to make and contain a purer level of precious metals.
By using powdered metals, produced by passing molten gold, silver or platinum through a high powered jet, manufacturers will be able reduce the amount of impurities found in the ring. These impurities are picked up in conventionally produced rings as they are punched from a sheet of metal and extensively rolled into shape. The new technique also reduces the amount of rolling and shaping needed to produce the finished rings.
The new ring production process involves packing the powder into a die and then pressing it to form a ring that has a rectangular cross-section. The ring is then sintered in a specially designed 800 °C furnace to give it strength and workability. The ring is then quenched in a water tank and undergoes a small amount of rolling to produce the final shape. The new rings are in full production and are starting to filter their way onto the fingers of this years' romantically minded couples.
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Andrew McLaughlin on Tel: 44-171-451-7395; Fax: 44-171-839-2289 or
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Notes For Editors
1. "Ringing The Changes", Materials World, Volume 7, Issue 2, p.76.
2. Materials World is the journal of The Institute of Materials, the
professional organisation of materials scientists and engineers working
throughout the world in areas involving the use and application of plastics,
rubber, steel, metals and ceramics. www.materials.org.uk