Our Metals
Our extraordinary metals : The Vulkalloys®
Changing the atomic organization of a metal = completely changing its properties
Based on this concept and built on nearly 30 years of research carried out at the SIMaP laboratory in Grenoble, France, the Vulkam technical team has developed a range of new metals with unrivalled properties.
Vulkalloys® are innovative Amorphous Metallic Alloys (often named metallic glasses) : their atomic structure differs from crystalline metals. In contrast to classical metals, such as steels or titanium alloys, they are characterized by a random atomic distribution. This change in atomic organisation, fundamentaly overhauls the properties of the material, but also their forming ability. Vulkalloys® have unique and totally isotropic properties which allow to push back their mechanical and physical limits of the conventionnal alloys.
Vulkalloys® are therefore opening up new possibilities both as functional properties and as parts manufacturing procedures.
VULKAM has developed a range of eight alloys, the Vulkalloys® based on Zirconium, Copper, Nickel or Hafnium, and their properties of use are exceptional: They meet the most demanding needs, especially in terms of mechanical resistance, tribology, amagnetism, corrosion resistance, or biocompatibility.
The Vulkalloys® structure also gives them exceptional manufacturing properties: their shaping capacity is close to that of plastic or glass, opening the way toward new geometries. The properties of Vulkalloys® depend on their chemical formulation. According to the their chemical formulation they provide :
- A high mechanical strength: up to 3000 MPa
- Elastic deformation of around 2%, i.e. up to twice as much as spring steels
- High hardness (wear and scratch resistance) up to more than 60 HRC
- Non-magnetic properties, excellent biocompatibility, corrosion resistance...
- Excellent tribological properties, including very low friction coefficients and wear rates
The Vulkalloys® properties coming from the various formulations can also be compared with other crystalline metals. Graphics herebelow group certain mechanical properties of Vulkalloys® according to their main chemical constituent (Copper, Zirconium, Nickel, etc.).
Four examples
Nickel-based Vulkalloy® Ni:
Unique characteristics for watchmaking applications
This alloy has excellent mechanical properties : exceptional yield strength and hardness, exceptional elasticity and tribological properties.
In addition, it is non magnetic.→It is particularly suited to flexible micro-mechanisms and to friction parts stongly mechanically stressed.
The functional properties thus achieved are exceptional in terms of resistance to corrosion, wear and scratches, non magnetism or especially flexibility. It is particularly suited to the problems of miniaturization of mechanical systems, notably in watchmaking industry.
Zirconium-based Vulkalloy® Zr-Med : An innovative material dedicated to medical applications
The Zr Med Vulkalloy ® is particularly suitable for medical applications, especially for instrumentation and implantology.
Its extraordinary mechanical properties make it possible to miniaturize and lighten the devices. Its « formability » make it possible,
as well, to design components with shapes and geometries no reachable with traditional methods. Zr Med Vulkalloy ® is also biocompatible without CMR classified component or allergen without Nickel or Cobalt.
Copper-based Vulkalloy® Cu :
unique shaping properties for micromechanics.
Copper-based Cu Vulkalloy® perfectly suited for micro mechanisms.
This alloy has very good properties of bending, strength and hardness.
The shaping capacity of Vulkalloy® Cu opens the door to new geometries and to the manufacture of complex shapes.
It is therefore perfectly suited to the production of high precision microcomponents.
The production of parts even smaller than you imagined is now possible !
Vulkalloy® Zr-Inox : Alloys for watch decoration parts
The Vulkalloy® Zr-Inox family of amorphous zirconium-based alloys is used for the production of corrosion-resistant decorative parts. Their bright white appearance, light weight and high hardness make these alloys ideal candidates for this type of part.
Highly resistant to corrosion, these alloys represent an innovative, aesthetic and particularly elegant alternative for the production of parts in contact with the skin. This alloy complies with the requirements for nickel release (EN 1811) with a release rate at least ten times lower than the standard limit.
These alloys can also be finished in one or more stages by conventional processes, thus allowing the manufacture of machinable preforms adapted to all geometries.
