Kiln metal hardening

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hello

I harden my finished [Argentium] pieces in my kiln and am wondering
if copper, brass and gold harden with this same treatment? Some of my
pieces have multiple metals (I will experiment too).

Thanks,
Margaret

2 
I harden my finished [Argentium] pieces in my kiln and am
wondering if copper, brass and gold harden with this same
treatment? Some of my pieces have multiple metals (I will experiment
too).

Brass and copper will not harden this way, they will only harden via
cold work. Gold that has enough copper in it will harden in a similar
fashion to the Argentium but at a higher temperature (385C 785F) than
the Argentium so the gold will not harden much if at all at the
Argentium Hardening temperature. If you try to harden the gold at the
correct temperature the Argentium will be “over aged” so it will
loose some or most of its hardness the question is how much and I
have no answer for that.

Jim

James Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts

360-756-6550