In recent years 950 palladium-based alloys have been developed for investment casting. The main problem with these materials is that not only is it necessary to supply the suitable alloys but also to suggest the procedures for using them with the guarantee of success. The research performed until now has been very useful to highlight the peculiarity of palladium and the ways to avoid the main problems while using this noble metal. At the moment the objective is to provide reliable alloys usable with different casting techniques in which some process parameters can be well controlled. This work is aimed at describing the characteristics of a new hard 950 palladium-based alloy, melted by arc melting and pressure-cast in argon atmosphere. This technique, which will be described in the paper, allows the user to avoid problems like hot tearing or reactions between palladium and the crucible or the investment. In fact, it is successfully used with alloys that demand a good control of the melting and casting atmosphere.

Author: Paolo Battaini