Grain-refined recrystallized 14-carat gold alloy

Prevention of excessive grain growth during annealing treatments is important for jewellery applications of gold alloys. The beneficial effects of small amounts of a number of metals of high melting points and low solubilities in gold to dental gold alloys are well known. Some of these elements, and others, have been added singly or in combinations, to a 14-carat gold jewellery alloy and their effects on grain size, on recrystallization, and on the formation of ‘orange peel’ during subsequent cold working have been studied. Possible mechanisms by which grain refining during solidification and annealing is brought about by small additions of certain elements are discussed in the light of the data obtained.