Alloys and semi-finished products and products containing same

Abstract

Described includes an alloy consisting of at least 33 wt. % to at most 75.5 wt. % gold, at least 1.5 wt. % to at most 45 wt. % silver, at least 8 wt. % to at most 45 wt. % copper, the remainder being zinc. The invention also relates to a semi-finished product made from such an alloy, a piece of jewelry having at least one such semi-finished product, and a method for producing such a semi-finished product.

1 . An alloy, comprising:
 33 wt. % to 75.5 wt. % gold,   1.5 wt. % to 45 wt. % silver,   8 wt. % to 45 wt. % copper, and   zinc.   
     
     
         2 . The alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has a copper content from at least 9 wt. % to at most 42 wt. %, preferably from at least 17 wt. % to at most 27 wt. %. 
     
     
         3 . The alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has a silver content from at least 2.5 wt. % to at most 39 wt. %, preferably from at least 3.5 wt. % to at most 27.5 wt. %. 
     
     
         4 . A semi-finished product ( 1 ) in the form of a slotted tube ( 2 ), comprising an alloy of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . The semi-finished product ( 1 ) of  claim 4 , wherein the semi-finished product ( 1 ) is formed from a sheet metal ( 3 ) elongated in a first direction, which is shaped in a circular shape, in particular a circular segment shape, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         6 . The semi-finished product ( 1 ) of  claim 4 , wherein the semi-finished product ( 1 ) has a spring constant, in particular measured at a distance of 15 mm from a clamping, from at least 1500 N/m to at most 2200 N/m, preferably from at least 1600 N/m to at most 2100 N/m, preferably from at least 1700 N/m to at most 2050 N/m. 
     
     
         7 . A piece of jewelry ( 5 ), comprising at least one semi-finished product ( 1 ) of  claim 4 , which is wound at least partially along a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         8 . The piece of jewelry ( 5 ) of  claim 7 , wherein the piece of jewelry ( 5 ) has at least two semi-finished products ( 1 ) wound parallel to one another along the respective longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         9 . The piece of jewelry ( 5 ) of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one semi-finished product ( 1 ) of the piece of jewelry ( 5 ) is wrapped around its periphery with a noble metal wire ( 7 ). 
     
     
         10 . The piece of jewelry ( 5 ) of  claim 7 , wherein the piece of jewelry ( 5 ) is designed as a bracelet ( 11 ). 
     
     
         11 . A method for producing a semi-finished product ( 1 ), comprising:
 providing a sheet metal ( 3 ) elongated in a first direction made of an alloy of  claim 1 ;   forming the sheet metal ( 3 ) into a slotted tube ( 2 );   curing the slotted tube ( 2 ) at a specific curing temperature of at least 100° C. to at most 400° C. for a specific curing time from at least 2 hours to at most 8 hours, and   receiving the semi-finished product ( 1 ).   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the semi-finished product ( 1 ) is wound up helically along the first direction. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the semi-finished product ( 1 ) is wrapped around its circumference with a noble metal wire ( 7 ).