Pd-In Alloy Thermomechanical Processing for Workability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pd-In alloys used in jewelry and precision equipment are brittle and unsuitable for mechanical machining due to their irregular and porous microstructure, leading to poor mechanical properties.
Innovation Solution
Thermomechanical processing of Pd-In alloys with specific compositions between 46-56 wt% Pd and 44-54 wt% In, along with additional elements, at a heating temperature between 0.6 and 0.9 of their homologous temperature, results in a ductile alloy with improved microstructure and mechanical strength, allowing for enhanced workability and increased bending stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Pd-In alloys are used in jewelry and precision equipment, then the alloy provides desired color properties and composition, but the alloy exhibits brittleness and poor workability due to irregular and porous microstructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the Pd-In alloy to a specific temperature range (0.6-0.9 Tm) to transform the microstructure. This thermal parameter change dissolves the irregular and porous microstructure, creating a homogeneous structure that maintains color properties while dramatically improving workability and eliminating brittleness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material principles by adding specific alloying elements (Ag: 0.5-2.0 wt%, Au: 0.1-1.0 wt%, Cu: 0.1-1.0 wt%, Pt: 0.1-1.0 wt%, Sn: 0.1-1.0 wt%) to the Pd-In base alloy. These composite additions refine the microstructure and enhance both the color properties and mechanical workability of the final material
2Quantity of substance
If Pd-In alloys are used for mechanical machining, then the alloy provides desired composition, but the irregular and porous microstructure causes brittleness and cracking during machining
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the Pd-In alloy to a specific temperature range (0.6-0.9 Tm) to transform the microstructure. This thermal parameter change dissolves the irregular and porous microstructure, creating a homogeneous structure that maintains color properties while dramatically improving workability and eliminating brittleness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality principles by adding specific alloying elements at controlled concentrations (Ag: 0.5-2.0 wt%, Au: 0.1-1.0 wt%, Cu: 0.1-1.0 wt%, Pt: 0.1-1.0 wt%, Sn: 0.1-1.0 wt%) to locally refine the microstructure. This creates uniform distribution of phases that enhance both color properties and mechanical strength, preventing cracking during machining
3Ease of operation
If thermomechanical processing is applied to Pd-In alloys, then the alloy achieves improved workability and reduced porosity, but the process requires heating to high temperatures between 0.6 and 0.9 of homologous temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the Pd-In alloy to a specific temperature range (0.6-0.9 Tm) to transform the microstructure. This thermal parameter change dissolves the irregular and porous microstructure, creating a homogeneous structure that maintains color properties while dramatically improving workability and eliminating brittleness
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The processed alloy exhibits improved workability at room temperature, increased bending stress, and reduced porosity, enabling machining and other mechanical processes without cracking or sample failure, while maintaining color properties.
Implementation Method 1
Thermomechanical processing of Pd-In alloys with specific compositions between 46-56 wt% Pd and 44-54 wt% In, along with additional elements, at a heating temperature between 0.6 and 0.9 of their homologous temperature
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 1(d)~1(f)
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
AI summary
The present disclosure concerns a method for obtaining a component made of a palladium (Pd)-indium (In) alloy comprising between 46 and 56 wt% Pd, between 44 and 54 wt% In, between 0 and 10 wt% of silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt) or tin (Sn), or a combination of these elements, between 0 and 2 wt% of a grain refiner, between 0 and 5 wt% of aluminum (Al), and a maximum of 1.5 wt% of other elements. The method comprises the steps of providing the Pd-In alloy, and thermomechanical processing the Pd-In alloy at a heating temperature corresponding to a value between 0.6 and 0.9 of the homologous temperature (Tm) of the Pd-In alloy. The thermomechanically processed Pd-In alloy has a bending stress measured with a three-point bending test, according to DIN EN ISO 9693 until breakage that is at least two time greater that the bending stress of as-cast the Pd-In alloy measured with the same three-point bending test.