[Jewelry making - Article 00170] - [Orchid] Cracking 14k red when soldered to platinum

[Rona Fisher]

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    A bid for help with a platinum/14k red  gold project.  We have
    soldered to a 6mm wide  band ( ring) thinner  (1.5mm )boarders., 
    Ther red gold was cast from  gold, cooper, silver alloy and looked 
    and acted just fine untill we soldered the boarders  to the platinum
    with 20k white.  Hairline cracks appeared- some larger than others. 
    we desperatly tried to repair the cracks via burnishing, and then
    flowing ( or rather gobbing) 14k red easy solder.  More cracks
    appeared.  The piece was air cooled through-out. 

    What did we do wrong?  After grazing through the archives- I saw
    that 20k white seemed to be the apprpriate solder... We suspect the
    difference  in melting points causing varying contractions in the
    different metals may be the culprit.... I remeber reading that Doug
    has been working with plat and  red gold.  Any clues Doug?  Should I
    use 18k red to reduce a few more degrees between the metals? Any
    tips would be much appreciated..Thanks to all  for your various 
    experiences. 

Rona


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