Dr. Christopher W. Corti - COReGOLD Technology Consultancy, U.K.

Dr. Corti holds a Ph.D. in metallurgy from the University of Surrey (UK) and is the managing director of COReGOLD Technology Consultancy. He has more than 40 years of experience in the precious metals industry. He worked for the World Gold Council from 1994 to 2004 and served as a consultant there until 2009. Chris edited Gold Technology, Gold Bulletin and the series of World Gold Council handbooks/manuals. He is currently a consultant for the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in London and edits the Goldsmiths’ Company Technical Bulletin. A recipient of the Santa Fe Symposium® Research, Technology, Ambassador and Lifetime Achievement Awards, Dr. Corti has presented at the Symposium for 24 years.

Basic Metallurgy of the Precious Metals, Part IV: Deformation Processing, Joining and Corrosion

Basic Metallurgy of the Precious Metals, Part IV: Deformation Processing, Joining and Corrosion

In the previous three parts of this series, we examined the relationship between properties, microstructure and alloy composition and the defects that can arise during manufacture. In this fourth part, we will examine hot and cold working in a little more detail and relate them to control of microstructure and, hence, properties. We will also look at joining processes, particularly soldering and welding, used in jewelry manufacture and finish with some comments on corrosion and tarnishing and how we can influence these by alloying and microstructure control.