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Content archived on 2024-05-29

Hypoallergenic nickel-free (imitation) jewellery by employing nano-structured galvanic coatings

Objective

It is the aim of the project to enforce the technological position of European jewellery manufacturing industry and thereby improve competitiveness by developing innovative, low cost nickel-free undercoats for hypoallergenic gold plated jewellery by electroplating of nanostructured materials. The need to eliminate nickel emission from metal parts that are in prolonged contact with human skin for reasons of allergy is challenging the jewellery, eyeglasses, fashion accessories and watchmaking industry. To protect customers, the European Union has set out European Directive 76/769/EEC-12th Amendment (94/27/EC), effective from January 2000, which requires minimal nickel release from finished products over prolonged time periods. This has far-reaching consequences since nickel is traditionally used extensively both as an undercoat for gold plated articles and as an alloying element in casted gold. For the latter case, the nickel emission problem is solved by selecting alloys free of nickel. However, the nickel release problem has not been solved for gold plated articles. Jewellery manufacturers cannot fulfil customer demands by using technological alternatives offered present-day, since these have their distinct economic and/or technical drawbacks.

Development of a real technological solution requires research work that jewellery manufacturing SMEs cannot afford due to size, lack of skill and high costs. The proposed technical solution to nickel replacement is created by combination of advancements in nanostructuring of electroplated films and jewellery electroplating technology. The innovative work focuses on two routes: synthesis of nanostructured base coatings that eliminate the need for additional barrier coatings; synthesis of nickel-free barrier coatings that can be applied on conventional base materials. Nanoparticle codeposition, pulse (reverse) technology and electrodeposition of alloying elements will be used to induce nanostructured under.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

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Call for proposal

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FP6-2003-SME-1
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Funding Scheme

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COOPERATIVE -

Coordinator

ELSY RESEARCH DI ENNIO GAJO & C. - SNC
EU contribution
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Total cost

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Participants (6)

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