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Strategies for the development of new jewelry alloys

Ulrich E. Klotz

Alloy development plays a crucial role in the jewelry industry, aiming to achieve desired properties such as color, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance. In this study, we explore the potential benefits of adopting strategies from other industries to enhance the alloy development process in jewelry manufacturing. This interdisciplinary approach integrates thermodynamic simulations and experimental high-throughput screening methods to accelerate the discovery and optimization of alloy compositions. Thermodynamic simulations are employed to predict phase stability, solidification behavior, heat treatment and alloy properties. By leveraging computational tools, researchers can effectively analyze the effects of different alloying elements on the final material properties. Additionally, experimental high-throughput screening methods are adapted to efficiently explore a vast composition space of potential alloy candidates. These screening techniques enable rapid fabrication and evaluation of a large number of alloy samples, allowing engineers to identify promising compositions for further analysis. The findings presented here can pave the way for innovative and sustainable practices for the development of new jewelry alloys manufacturing while offering new avenues for exploration and inspiration for the jewelry and watch industry.

Bio

Ulrich E. Klotz

Dr. Ulrich E. Klotz is Diploma Engineer in Physical Metallurgy (University of Stuttgart, Germany) and holds a PhD in Materials Science from ETH Zurich, Switzerland. He is Head of the Department of Physical Metallurgy at the Research Institute for Precious Metals & Metals Chemistry (fem) in Schwaebisch Gmuend, Germany