Heat treatment is a process step that may be given during or after fabrication of an artefact, in our case an item of jewellery or decorative metallware. The microstructure of the metal or alloy is altered as a result of such a process, and because the mechanical properties, such as strength, ductility, hardness and toughness, and even chemical properties such as corrosion resistance, depend on the type of microstructure present, it follows that these properties may be profoundly changed by heat treatment. It is my purpose to discuss some of the changes to microstructure and properties that can be effected by heat treatment and to show their relevance to jewellery manufacturing technology.

Author: Mark Grimwade