Questioni am very new in jewelry making. im a sculptor who has ventured into jewelry making. anyway, i am interested in learning to work with titanium or tungsten carbide. i cannot seem to find much info on manufacturers to work with or even classes to learn to work with these metals. any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated. thank u.
AnswerDear Georgene,
I do not believe you will fine classes devoted to either titanium or tungsten carbide for jewelry purposes. Yes, both are made into jewelry items by large manufacturers but they have have the equipment, forming and machining capabilities most of us will never have or be able to make economically feasible.
Tungsten carbide is a sintered metal. The link below tells more about it and the one below about sintering in the overall view.
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4968834_how-tungsten-carbide-made.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sintering
Essentially, tungsten carbide is not a "metal" as we would think of metals. It is not like tungsten, the metal which is a grayish and very hard metal. The addition of carbon makes the difference. What is tungsten carbide used for? Jewelry is only a minute use. So-called "carbide" drill bits for concrete and blades for routers and cutting tools are made of tougher forms of tungsten carbide. The material must be machined with even harder tools which may include diamond cutters. There is not a steel tool in the tool box or at the hardware store which will touch the material and cut it. Yet, in jewelry form, a small hammer is all that is needed to break it. To remove a finger ring of tungsten carbide stuck on the finger, a rap with a hammer or a controlled squeeze in a vice will not bend the material but will rather easily break it. A hard drop onto a ceramic tile floor can break or chip a tungsten carbide wedding ring.
I do not see a means right off hand for this to be formed by an individual into jewelry objects. However, I do imagine sections of it can somehow be incorporated into creative objects in a pleasing manner.
Titanium is also hard and depending on the alloy may or may not be cut with steel tools. Titanium used in jewelry work can be cut with tools in many cases. Grinding is not very difficult with abrasives and jewelry compounds such as tripoli designed for hard metals and rouges for hard metals and platinum may be used to polish the metal. Time is against you compared to precious jewelry metals, copper, even steel in comparison to titanium. Take the time and you can get it done.
Welding titanium(or soldering)is not something that is going to happen without a cover gas and electrical welding equipment. The metal is a bear to join unless you are dedicated with the proper equipment to work it. I know little about working the metal but know those who have in industrial applications.
I do not believe you will fine classes in working titanium. I will suggest you try a world community of jewelry related people including many fine craftsmen (men and women). This is Ganoksin. You will learn more about this community by visiting a web site. While there, search archives for possible articles or members postings on titanium.
http://www.ganoksin.com/ This is an excellent resource and place to ask and mingle.
I do know some artists incorporate titanium and other unusual metals as a portion of their work. Much is in the creative experimental stages, including iron, steel and other metals which are not the ordinary fodder of jewelers. I do wish you the best in finding enough information and sources of titanium is usable forms. I have titanium wire left over from MIG welding operations and have played with it but not yet in an artful jewelry form. If you know of someone working in an industrial welding situation you may ask about availability of any scrap cut offs.
I do wish I could be of more assistance. Best wishes.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
