[Jewelry making - Article 00297] - Re: [Orchid] Homemade PMC

[Suzanne Wade]

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Hi All,

    If you're interested in developing your own PMC, it would probably
    be helpful if you learned a bit more about the technology behind it.
    From the descriptions I've seen of PMC, it sounds to me like it is is
    essentially a relatively low-tech variation on a technology called
    powder metallurgy, which is used quite widely in industrial
    applications, including automotive and aerospace applications. There
    has been some experimentation in using the technique in the jewelry
    industry in recent years (outside of the PMC arena), and some of the
    results of that research have been presented in papers at the Santa
    Fe Symposium. (Contact Rio Grande, who sponsors the symposium, for
    information on getting back copies of the Proceedings for 1997, 1998,
    and 2000.) I also wrote an article for AJM published in July 2001
    offering an overview of the process and its potential applications
    in the jewelry industry -- if you're interested, you can order a copy
    at the AJM website at http://www.ajm-magazine.com, look under
    "article index" and search for "powder metallurgy." You can also read
    about powder metallurgy at the Metal Powder Industries Federation
    website at http://www.mpfi.org 

    From talking to those doing powder metallurgy, I can think of two
    issues in making your own PMC. One is finding a binder that will burn
    out completely and not interfere with the sintering: if the piece
    doesn't sinter correctly, it will end up falling apart. Your best bet
    here might be to investigate the binders currently being used in
    industrial applications for powder metallurgy. 

    The second will be to get the correct grain size and shape. As I
    understand it, just getting fine powder isn't enough. The grains must
    be pretty uniform and within a specific size range, usually measured
    in microns. This is usually achieved through a relatively high-tech
    piece of equipment called an atomizer. (This is a machine that costs
    six figures, so it's not something you're going to buy yourself
    unless you want to make a LOT of powder!) An atomizer is what
    producers of paste solders use to create their products, as well. I
    don't know if any of these atomized grains in precious metals are
    currently available for commercial purchase, although I would expect
    they probably will be at some point, considering the growing interest
    among jewelry manufacturers. 

    Oh, by the way, I believe Mitsubishi currently holds the patent on
    the PMC sold by Rio: not sure who holds the patent on ArtClay,
    although I'm sure there is one somewhere. You might look up the
    patents to learn more about how the product is made. Keep in mind,
    though, that if you use that process, you are violating the patent,
    so you probably don't want to make plans to sell any resulting clay
    to others. ;-) 

    Personally, I think I'd just buy my stuff from Rio or whoever. But
    if you really love to experiment and you have some time and money to
    invest in trying something new, there are people out there who'd
    probably be willing to work with you to develop new powder processes.
    If you're really interested, let me know and I'll put you in touch
    with them. 


Suzanne Wade
writer/editor
Suzanne AT rswade.net
Phone: (508) 339-7366
Fax: (928) 563-8255
 

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