COMPOSITION FOR REMOVING OXIDES OF ALLOYS OF PRECIOUS METALS

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention refers to compositions which allow the removal of the oxides, which are formed either superficially or inside the crystal lattice, from alloys of precious metals or similar with the advantage of stabilising the alloys themselves; the invention refers also to the process of stabilisation comprising the use of such composition.

State of the art

[0002] It is known that during the melting processes of ingots of alloys of precious metals or similar for the moulding of different objects, both for aesthetic or industrial purposes, oxides are formed both on the surface and inside the crystal lattice of the metals constituting the alloy. These oxides can be detrimental to the subsequent use of the objects for example by altering their external appearance or causing more serious problems. For example in the case of parts in precious alloys commonly used in dental application (capsules, bridges, pins, inlays, etc.), when these are implanted in the mouth of a patient the oxides can, under the saliva action, be attacked and thereafter absorbed by the patient, similarly the properties of the parts of precious alloys used in electronics can be adversely affected by the formation of oxides.

[0003] It is therefore evident how important it is to make available a product which allows the removal of the oxides from precious metals alloys.

Detailed description of the invention

[0004] The present invention allows one to overcome the above said problems through the use of compositions of gelatine containing sodium borate.

[0005] Such compositions once spread on the objects to be treated and thereafter heated, allow the total removal of superficial and internal oxides possibly formed during the previous working phases of the metal alloy and allow the preparation of products which do not present any of the drawbacks caused by the presence of the oxides.

[0006] According to the invention a precious metal or similar alloy is an alloy consisting of metals of the groups VIII and Ib of the Periodic Table of Elements, in particular alloys consisting of gold, silver, palladium, iridium, platinum, in all their different possible combinations.

[0007] The gelatinous product in the composition according to the invention as defined by claim 1 is a gelatinous material capable of burning completely when heated, without leaving any residue.

[0008] Homogeneous materials, i.e. lump-free materials, are preferred since they allow a better spreading of the composition.

[0009] For the invention purposes, the gelatinous product is chosen from agar-agar, carrageenin or pure cellulose.

[0010] The two products forming the composition, i.e. the gelatinous product and sodium borate, can be present each in a quantity comprised between 20 - 70% (by weight) of the total; particularly preferred is a composition consisting of 50% sodium borate and 50% gelatine (by weight).

[0011] The invention further relates to the use of the compositions according to claim 1 or of a composition consisting of sodium borate and gelatine in a treatment for removing oxides from alloys of precious metals.

[0012] The compositions according to the invention can also obviously be used to remove the oxides in the case of objects wherein the precious metal alloy is combined with resins or ceramics making it possible to obtain products having enhanced brightness.

[0013] The preparation of a composition according to the invention is very simple and is performed by mixing the desired quantities of both components in a mixer, preferably equipped with microniser, under vacuum and in a nitrogen current.

[0014] Very simple is also the use of the compositions according to the invention.

[0015] The piece to be treated, obtained by moulding the melted ingots in the appropriated mould, is cooled, polished and cleaned with vapour jet streams.

[0016] The composition according to the invention is spread with a brush on the surface of the object and dried, normally at 500°C; after drying a white chalk-like patina forms.

[0017] The alloy is thereafter submitted to thermal annealing or homogenised in oven, normally at 950°C, as indicated by the producer of the alloy.

[0018] The object is cleaned by ultrasounds and immersion in pickling liquid or hydrofluoric acid 40%, thereafter neutralised in water with bicarbonate and washed with water.

[0019] If alloy-ceramic products are desired the alloy is ceramised according to the usual techniques.

[0020] If alloy-resin objects are desired the above said thermal treatment can be performed in an oven or over the flame.

[0021] The composition according to the invention is particularly useful to remove the oxides on metal parts which must be grinded.

[0022] In the case of products requiring ceramisation, after elimination of the glasure excess the composition is applied to the metallic part and is heated at a temperature largely inferior to the one requested for the ceramic burning, thereafter the same procedure described above is applied (treatment with ultrasounds, pickling, neutralisation and washing).

[0023] By operating as described it is possible, for example, to completely remove the oxides in the internal part of the ceramised dental cups making the surface particularly bright.

Example

[0024] 30 g of carrageenin are placed in a mixer under vacuum and in nitrogen current and 30 g of sodium borate are added. The products are mixed up to the formation of an homogenous paste which is collected and stoked in fridge up its use.

Claims

1. Composition consisting of sodium borate and a gelatinous product chosen in the group consisting of:

agar-agar, carrageenin or pure cellulose.

2. Composition according to claim 1 wherein the two compounds are present each in a quantity comprised between 20 - 70% by weight calculated on the total weight of the composition.

3. Composition according to claim 2 containing 50% of sodium borate and 50% of the other product.

4. Process for the preparation of a composition according to Claim 1 wherein the desired quantities of both components are mixed in a mixer, preferably equipped with microniser, under vacuum and nitrogen current.

5. Process for removing the oxides from alloys of precious metals of the VIII and Ib groups of the Periodic Table of Elements using a composition according to Claim 1 or a composition consisting of gelatine and sodium borate.

6. Process according to Claim 5 wherein the alloy contains gold, silver, palladium, iridium, platinum, in all the possible combination.

7. Use of the compositions according to Claim 1 or of a composition consisting of sodium borate and gelatine in a treatment for removing oxides from alloys of precious metals of the VIII and Ib groups of the Periodic Table of Elements.

Ansprüche

1. Zusammensetzung bestehend aus Borax und einem gelatineartigen Produkt, das aus der folgenden Gruppe von Substanzen stammt:

Agar-Agar, Karrageen oder reine Cellulose.

2. Zusammensetzung entsprechend Anspruch 1, wobei die beiden Komponenten jeweils zu einem Anteil von 20 - 70 Gewichtsprozent bezogen auf das Gesamtgewicht enthalten sind.

3. Zusammensetzung entsprechend Anspruch 2, die zu 50% aus Borax und zu 50% aus dem anderen Produkt besteht.

4. Verfahren zur Herstellung der Zusammensetzung entsprechend Anspruch 1, wobei die gewünschten Mengen der beiden Komponenten unter Vakuum und unter einem Stickstoffstrom in einem Mischapparat gemischt werden, der nach Möglichkeit mit einer Vorrichtung zum Mikronisieren ausgestattet ist.

5. Verfahren zur Entfernung von Oxiden aus Legierungen, die aus Edelmetallen der Gruppen VIII und Ib des Periodensystems der Elemente bestehen, unter Verwendung einer Zusammensetzung entsprechend Anspruch 1 oder einer Zusammensetzung aus Gelatine und Borax.

6. Verfahren entsprechend Anspruch 5, wobei die Legierung Gold, Silber, Palladium, Iridium und Platin in beliebiger möglicher Zusammensetzung enthält.

7. Verwendung von Zusammensetzungen entsprechend Anspruch 1 oder einer Zusammensetzung aus Borax und Gelatine in einer Behandlung zur Entfernung von Oxiden aus Legierungen, die aus Edelmetallen der Gruppen VIII und Ib des Periodensystems der Elemente bestehen.

Revendications

1. Composition constituée de borate de sodium et d'un produit gélatineux choisi dans le groupe constitué de :

agar agar, carraghénine ou cellulose pure.

2. Composition selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle les deux composés sont présents chacun dans une quantité comprise entre 20 et 70 % en poids, calculée par rapport au poids total de la composition.

3. Composition selon la revendication 2 contenant 50 % de borate de sodium et 50% de l'autre produit.

4. Procédé pour la préparation d'une composition selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les quantités souhaitées des deux composants sont mélangées dans un mélangeur, préférablement équipé d'un microniseur, sous vide et sous un courant d'azote.

5. Procédé pour l'élimination des oxydes d'alliages de métaux précieux des Groupes VIII et Ib du Tableau Périodique des Eléments, avec utilisation d'une composition selon la revendication 1 ou d'une composition constituée de gélatine et de borate de sodium.

6. Procédé selon la revendication 5, dans lequel l'alliage contient de l'or, de l'argent, du palladium, de l'iridium, du platine , dans toutes les combinaisons possibles.

7. Utilisation des compositions selon la revendication 1 ou d'une composition constituée de borate de sodium et de gélatine dans un traitement destiné à éliminer les oxydes d'alliages de métaux précieux.