EP1051533A1 - Titanium alloy watch part - Google Patents

Titanium alloy watch part

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Publication number
EP1051533A1
EP1051533A1 EP98900519A EP98900519A EP1051533A1 EP 1051533 A1 EP1051533 A1 EP 1051533A1 EP 98900519 A EP98900519 A EP 98900519A EP 98900519 A EP98900519 A EP 98900519A EP 1051533 A1 EP1051533 A1 EP 1051533A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
maximum
watch
alloy
titanium
manufacturing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP98900519A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1051533B1 (en
Inventor
Thanas Lipe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TAG Heuer SA
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TAG Heuer SA
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Publication of EP1051533A1 publication Critical patent/EP1051533A1/en
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Publication of EP1051533B1 publication Critical patent/EP1051533B1/en
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Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22FCHANGING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF NON-FERROUS METALS AND NON-FERROUS ALLOYS
    • C22F1/00Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working
    • C22F1/16Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working of other metals or alloys based thereon
    • C22F1/18High-melting or refractory metals or alloys based thereon
    • GPHYSICS
    • G04HOROLOGY
    • G04BMECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00Cases
    • G04B37/22Materials or processes of manufacturing pocket watch or wrist watch cases

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a titanium alloy watch piece according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • An object of the invention is therefore to propose titanium watch parts having an appearance different from the titanium parts of the prior art, and therefore capable of occupying other commercial niches.
  • this goal is achieved by using a family of alloys containing at least 75% of titanium, hardened by treatment thermomechanical and having in common a mechanical resistance greater than 750MPa, preferably however close to 10OOMPa. These particular alloys have the advantage of being able to be polished on large surfaces.
  • Patent document EP416929 describes a process for manufacturing a titanium alloy watch case in which the already machined part is heated to a temperature above the transformation temperature ⁇ , that is to say above about 780 °, then quenched, so as to bring it into a martensitic phase. An aging operation is then necessary before being able to polish the watch case. This process comprising a large number of separate operations is therefore difficult to implement on an industrial scale.
  • Optimal polishing quality can therefore be obtained by refining the microstructure of the alloy, that is to say by reducing the size of the grains constituting the alloy of the watch piece. According to the invention, this refinement is obtained by subjecting the watch part to a thermomechanical treatment.
  • the invention will be better understood using the examples given in the following description, no figure being necessary to illustrate them.
  • the invention applies to the manufacture of any watch part, in particular the middle part, the back of the case, the bezel, the bracelet and at least certain elements of the folding clasp and the clasp .
  • the invention therefore applies to any external part of a pocket or wrist watch.
  • At least one of these parts is made of solid titanium alloy with medium or high mechanical resistance, that is to say of titanium alloy having a mechanical resistance greater than 750 MPa, preferably however close to 10OOMpa .
  • the thermomechanical treatment preferably consists of an operation of heating the alloy to a temperature below the transformation temperature ⁇ (780 °) during an operation of deformation of the initial part.
  • the thermomechanical treatment consists of stamping the part heated to a temperature between 600 and 750 °, preferably however between 600 and 700 °.
  • Tests have shown that an effective refining of the microstructure of the alloy is obtained when it is simultaneously subjected to a pressure or to a significant deformation and heated to a temperature slightly lower than the transformation temperature ⁇ .
  • Different mechanisms for example dynamic recrystallization, can be used for refining the microstructure. Grain sizes less than 5 ⁇ m, of the order of 1 ⁇ m, can be obtained by judiciously choosing the heating temperature and the applied deformation pressure.
  • the alloys used can also be anodized and anodized to obtain different color effects.
  • the hardening and stamping of the part are therefore carried out in a single operation; no subsequent heating, quenching or aging operation is necessary. This method is therefore particularly advantageous to implement compared to the methods of the prior art.
  • the family of titanium alloys with medium and high mechanical resistance suitable for such a polishing comprises in particular: Binary alloys: Ti 8Mn
  • Ternary alloys Ti 6AI 4V, Ti 7AI 4Mo
  • Quaternary alloys Ti 8AI 1 Mo 1 V, Ti 10V 2Fe 3AI, Ti 6AI 6V 2Sn Ti 4AI 3Mo 1V Ti 10V 2Fe 3AI
  • Alloys composed of 5 or more elements Ti 6AI 2Sn 4Zr 6Mo Ti 5AI 2Sn 4Zr 4Mo 4Cr Ti 6AI 2Sn 2Zr 2Mo 2Cr Ti i5V 3Cr 3AI 3Sn
  • titanium alloys aluminum has the property of stabilizing the ⁇ phase, which is stable at temperatures up to 880 ° C. Vanadium stabilizes the ⁇ phase which is normally stable at temperatures above 880 ° C. Tests have shown that the Ti 6AI 4V alloy is optimal for the manufacture of a timepiece in mirror-polished titanium.
  • the composition of this alloy can vary as follows: (composition in percentage by weight):
  • the middle part, the back, the bezel, the folding clasp, the clasp and / or the strap of a watch are made of one of these alloys. It is nevertheless also possible to combine the use of these alloys for certain elements or for certain parts of certain elements with other materials for other elements. In particular, it is possible to combine the use of titanium with medium or high mechanical resistance for certain parts, in particular for visible parts when the watch is worn, with titanium with low mechanical resistance for less visible parts, for example for the folding clasp, which will then not be polished.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Adornments (AREA)
  • Powder Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Solid-Phase Diffusion Into Metallic Material Surfaces (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns a watch part made of the following alloy (composition expressed in weight percentage): aluminium 5.5 to 6.75; vanadium 3.5 to 4.5; nitrogen 0.05 maximum; carbon 0.1 maximum; hydrogen 0.015 maximum; iron 0.4 maximum; oxygen 0.2 maximum; various elements: 0.1 maximum each, 0.5 maximum altogether, the remainder being titanium. Said alloy enables the part to be machined and polished with standard tools and provide it with a mirror-like shine.

Description

Pièce de montre en alliage de titane Titanium alloy watch piece
La présente invention concerne une pièce de montre en alliage de titane selon le préambule de la revendication 1.The present invention relates to a titanium alloy watch piece according to the preamble of claim 1.
Entre les matériaux traditionnels comme l'or et l'acier, le titane occupe depuis quelques années une place toujours plus importante pour la réalisation de boîtes de montre. Pour un prix nettement inférieur à celui de l'or, il apporte par rapport à l'acier l'avantage d'être très bien supporté par la peau et de ne pas susciter d'allergies au nickel. Son succès commercial a en outre été favorisé par son aspect mat aisément identifiable qui a suscité un engouement d'autant plus grand que ce matériau est généralement associé à des montres ou d'autres produits de grande qualité.Between traditional materials such as gold and steel, titanium has occupied an increasingly important place in recent years for the production of watch cases. For a price clearly lower than that of gold, it brings compared to steel the advantage of being very well supported by the skin and not causing nickel allergies. Its commercial success has also been favored by its easily identifiable matt appearance which has aroused a craze all the more since this material is generally associated with watches or other high quality products.
L'invention part de la constatation que cet aspect de surface très particulier du titane généralement employé en horlogerie ne bénéficiera probablement pas toujours de cet effet de mode. Les contraintes esthétiques imposées par ce matériau risquent donc de ne pas toujours être acceptées par une large clientèle.The invention starts from the observation that this very particular surface appearance of titanium generally used in watchmaking probably will not always benefit from this fashion effect. The aesthetic constraints imposed by this material may therefore not always be accepted by a large clientele.
Des tentatives ont déjà été effectuées dans l'art antérieur pour modifier l'aspect des montres en titane, par exemple au moyen de colorations, ou en plaquant des alliages particuliers de titane sur d'autres matériaux. Toutefois, l'opération de plaquage renchérit les pièces qui par ailleurs sont sensibles aux chocs et aux rayures profondes.Attempts have already been made in the prior art to modify the appearance of watches made of titanium, for example by means of coloring, or by plating particular alloys of titanium on other materials. However, the plating operation increases the parts which, moreover, are sensitive to shocks and deep scratches.
Un but de l'invention est donc de proposer des pièces de montre en titane ayant un aspect différent des pièces en titane de l'art antérieur, et donc susceptibles d'occuper d'autres créneaux commerciaux.An object of the invention is therefore to propose titanium watch parts having an appearance different from the titanium parts of the prior art, and therefore capable of occupying other commercial niches.
Ce but est satisfait selon l'invention au moyen d'une pièce d'horlogerie réalisée dans un alliage de titane inédit en horlogerie.This object is satisfied according to the invention by means of a timepiece made of a titanium alloy unprecedented in watchmaking.
En particulier, ce but est atteint en ayant recours à une famille d'alliages contenant au moins 75% de titane, durcis par traitement thermomécanique et possédant en commun une résistance mécanique supérieure à 750MPa, de préférence toutefois proche de 10OOMPa. Ces alliages particuliers présentent l'avantage de pouvoir être polis sur de grandes surfaces.In particular, this goal is achieved by using a family of alloys containing at least 75% of titanium, hardened by treatment thermomechanical and having in common a mechanical resistance greater than 750MPa, preferably however close to 10OOMPa. These particular alloys have the advantage of being able to be polished on large surfaces.
Des essais ont déjà été effectués dans l'art antérieur pour polir des pièces de montre en titane. Toutefois, les alliages de titane utilisés traditionnellement ne permettent pas de polir entièrement des grandes pièces comme la carrure ou le bracelet. L'état de surface obtenu est similaire à une peau d'orange, en sorte que seules des petites pièces telles les lunettes ou des petites portions de pièces plus grandes ont été réalisées en titane massif poli.Attempts have already been made in the prior art to polish titanium watch parts. However, the titanium alloys traditionally used do not fully polish large parts such as the middle or the bracelet. The surface finish obtained is similar to an orange peel, so that only small parts such as glasses or small portions of larger parts were made of polished solid titanium.
L'aspect de peau d'orange est dû notamment à la présence dans la structure de nombreux alliages de deux phases, par exemple les phases α et β, de duretés différentes et auquel il est donc difficile de donner le même aspect de polissage. Le document de brevet EP416929 décrit un procédé de fabrication de boîte de montre en alliage de titane dans lequel la pièce déjà usinée est chauffée à une température supérieure à la température de transformation β, c'est-à-dire supérieure à 780° environ, puis trempée, de manière à l'amener dans une phase martensitique. Une opération de vieillissement est ensuite nécessaire avant de pouvoir polir la boîte de montre. Ce procédé comportant un grand nombre d'opérations distinctes est par conséquent difficile à mettre en œuvre à l'échelle industrielle.The orange peel appearance is due in particular to the presence in the structure of many alloys of two phases, for example the α and β phases, of different hardnesses and to which it is therefore difficult to give the same polishing appearance. Patent document EP416929 describes a process for manufacturing a titanium alloy watch case in which the already machined part is heated to a temperature above the transformation temperature β, that is to say above about 780 °, then quenched, so as to bring it into a martensitic phase. An aging operation is then necessary before being able to polish the watch case. This process comprising a large number of separate operations is therefore difficult to implement on an industrial scale.
Des essais ont cependant montré que la taille des grains de l'alliage joue un rôle déterminant dans la qualité du polissage obtenu. Les alliages de titane ordinaires sont constitués de grains de taille 150 à 200 μm; des différences de polissage entre grains voisins sont donc très visibles.Tests have however shown that the grain size of the alloy plays a decisive role in the quality of the polishing obtained. Ordinary titanium alloys consist of grains of size 150 to 200 μm; differences in polishing between neighboring grains are therefore very visible.
Une qualité de polissage optimale peut donc être obtenue en affinant la microstructure de l'alliage, c'est-à-dire en réduisant la taille des grains constituant l'alliage de la pièce de montre. Selon l'invention, cet affinage est obtenu en soumettant la pièce de montre à un traitement thermomécanique. L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide des exemples donnés dans la description suivante, aucune figure n'étant nécessaire pour les illustrer.Optimal polishing quality can therefore be obtained by refining the microstructure of the alloy, that is to say by reducing the size of the grains constituting the alloy of the watch piece. According to the invention, this refinement is obtained by subjecting the watch part to a thermomechanical treatment. The invention will be better understood using the examples given in the following description, no figure being necessary to illustrate them.
L'invention s'applique à la fabrication de n'importe quelle pièce de montre, en particulier de la carrure, du fond de la boîte, de la lunette, du bracelet et d'au moins certains éléments de la boucle déployante et du fermoir. L'invention s'applique donc à n'importe quelle pièce externe d'une montre de poche ou de poignet.The invention applies to the manufacture of any watch part, in particular the middle part, the back of the case, the bezel, the bracelet and at least certain elements of the folding clasp and the clasp . The invention therefore applies to any external part of a pocket or wrist watch.
Selon l'invention, au moins une de ces pièces est réalisée en alliage massif de titane à moyenne ou haute résistance mécanique, c'est-à-dire en alliage de titane présentant une résistance mécanique supérieure à 750MPa, de préférence toutefois proche de 10OOMpa.According to the invention, at least one of these parts is made of solid titanium alloy with medium or high mechanical resistance, that is to say of titanium alloy having a mechanical resistance greater than 750 MPa, preferably however close to 10OOMpa .
Ces alliages n'ont jamais été considérés dans l'art antérieur pour une utilisation horlogère en raison de préjugés tenaces, de nombreux spécialistes horlogers considérant que ces matériaux ne peuvent pas être usinés et étampés convenablement. Pour cette raison, des alliages de titane à basse résistance mécanique ont toujours été utilisés en horlogerie. Les propriétés mécaniques de ces alliages étant largement suffisantes pour des applications horlogeres, il n'y avait aucune incitation à utiliser des alliages supposés beaucoup plus difficiles à travailler.These alloys have never been considered in the prior art for watchmaking use because of stubborn prejudices, many watchmaking specialists considering that these materials cannot be machined and stamped properly. For this reason, titanium alloys with low mechanical resistance have always been used in watchmaking. The mechanical properties of these alloys being largely sufficient for horological applications, there was no incentive to use alloys supposedly much more difficult to work.
Des essais effectués en dépit de l'opinion prévalente ont néanmoins fourni des résultats surprenants et montré que des pièces de montre peuvent être produites dans ces alliages avec des outils de coupe et d'étampage modernes, tels que ceux utilisés pour usiner l'acier inoxydable. Par ailleurs, une gravure à l'acide est également possible. Ces essais ont donc montré que l'homme de l'art dans le domaine de l'usinage de pièces horlogeres peut, après quelques manipulations de routine, usiner ces nouveaux alliages au moyen d'outils conventionnels, en dépit de tous les préjugés existants. Ces nouveaux alliages peuvent par exemple être usinés en choisissant soigneusement les outils d'usinage parmi ceux existant et en réduisant la vitesse d'usinage. Il a été constaté ensuite que, en soumettant ces alliages à un traitement thermomécanique, il est possible de réduire considérablement la taille des grains α et β de l'alliage et donc d'obtenir un matériau apte à être poli pour donner aux pièces un aspect brillant miroir. Un tel poli est inhabituel en horlogerie pour des montres en titane. Les propriétés avantageuses de ce matériau, notamment ses propriétés anti-allergiques, peuvent donc être étendues pour des gammes de montre pour lesquelles on aurait préféré pour des raisons esthétiques utiliser un autre métal.Tests carried out despite prevailing opinion have nevertheless provided surprising results and have shown that watch parts can be produced in these alloys with modern cutting and stamping tools, such as those used to machine stainless steel. . Furthermore, acid etching is also possible. These tests have therefore shown that a person skilled in the art of machining timepieces can, after a few routine manipulations, machine these new alloys using conventional tools, despite all the existing prejudices. These new alloys can for example be machined by carefully choosing the machining tools among those existing and reducing the machining speed. It was then observed that, by subjecting these alloys to a thermomechanical treatment, it is possible to considerably reduce the size of the grains α and β of the alloy and therefore to obtain a material capable of being polished to give the parts an appearance. shiny mirror. Such a polish is unusual in watchmaking for titanium watches. The advantageous properties of this material, in particular its anti-allergic properties, can therefore be extended to ranges of watches for which it would have been preferable for aesthetic reasons to use another metal.
Le traitement thermomécanique consiste de préférence en une opération de chauffage de l'alliage à une température inférieure à la température de transformation β (780°) au cours d'une opération de déformation de la pièce initiale. De préférence, le traitement thermomécanique consiste en un étampage de la pièce chauffée à une température comprise entre 600 et 750°, de préférence toutefois entre 600 et 700°. Des essais ont montré qu'un affinage efficace de la microstructure de l'alliage est obtenu lorsqu'il est soumis simultanément à une pression ou à une déformation importante et chauffé à une température légèrement inférieure à la température de transformation β. Différents mécanismes, par exemple la recristallisation dynamique, peuvent être utilisés pour l'affinage de la microstructure. Des tailles de grain inférieures à 5 μm, de l'ordre de 1 μm, peuvent être obtenues en choisissant judicieusement la température de chauffe et la pression de déformation appliquée.The thermomechanical treatment preferably consists of an operation of heating the alloy to a temperature below the transformation temperature β (780 °) during an operation of deformation of the initial part. Preferably, the thermomechanical treatment consists of stamping the part heated to a temperature between 600 and 750 °, preferably however between 600 and 700 °. Tests have shown that an effective refining of the microstructure of the alloy is obtained when it is simultaneously subjected to a pressure or to a significant deformation and heated to a temperature slightly lower than the transformation temperature β. Different mechanisms, for example dynamic recrystallization, can be used for refining the microstructure. Grain sizes less than 5 μm, of the order of 1 μm, can be obtained by judiciously choosing the heating temperature and the applied deformation pressure.
Les alliages utilisés peuvent également être éloxés et anodisés pour obtenir des effets de couleur différents.The alloys used can also be anodized and anodized to obtain different color effects.
Le durcissement et l'étampage de la pièce sont donc effectués en une seule opération ; aucune opération ultérieure de chauffage, de trempe ou de vieillissement n'est nécessaire. Ce procédé est donc particulièrement avantageux à mettre en œuvre par rapport aux procédés de l'art antérieur.The hardening and stamping of the part are therefore carried out in a single operation; no subsequent heating, quenching or aging operation is necessary. This method is therefore particularly advantageous to implement compared to the methods of the prior art.
La famille d'alliages de titane à moyenne et haute résistance mécanique convenant à un tel polissage comprend notamment : Alliages binaires : Ti 8MnThe family of titanium alloys with medium and high mechanical resistance suitable for such a polishing comprises in particular: Binary alloys: Ti 8Mn
Alliages ternaires : Ti 6AI 4V, Ti 7AI 4MoTernary alloys: Ti 6AI 4V, Ti 7AI 4Mo
Alliages quaternaires :Ti 8AI 1 Mo 1 V, Ti 10V 2Fe 3AI, Ti 6AI 6V 2Sn Ti 4AI 3Mo 1V Ti 10V 2Fe 3AIQuaternary alloys: Ti 8AI 1 Mo 1 V, Ti 10V 2Fe 3AI, Ti 6AI 6V 2Sn Ti 4AI 3Mo 1V Ti 10V 2Fe 3AI
Alliages composés de 5 éléments ou plus : Ti 6AI 2Sn 4Zr 6Mo Ti 5AI 2Sn 4Zr 4Mo 4Cr Ti 6AI 2Sn 2Zr 2Mo 2Cr Ti i5V 3Cr 3AI 3SnAlloys composed of 5 or more elements: Ti 6AI 2Sn 4Zr 6Mo Ti 5AI 2Sn 4Zr 4Mo 4Cr Ti 6AI 2Sn 2Zr 2Mo 2Cr Ti i5V 3Cr 3AI 3Sn
(les chiffres indiquant le pourcentage en poids dans la composition).(the figures indicating the percentage by weight in the composition).
Il s'agit en général d'alliages de titane biphasés α + β qui offrent un compromis optimal entre la ductilité et la résistance mécanique. Des alliages presque monophasés α ou des alliages de structure β ne sont cependant pas exclus. Ces alliages à deux phases peuvent être affinés et durcis par des traitements thermomécaniques adéquats.They are generally two-phase titanium alloys α + β which offer an optimal compromise between ductility and mechanical strength. Almost single-phase α alloys or alloys with a β structure are however not excluded. These two-phase alloys can be refined and hardened by suitable thermomechanical treatments.
Dans les alliages de titane, l'aluminium a la propriété de stabiliser la phase α, stable à des températures jusqu'à 880°C. Le vanadium stabilise la phase β qui est normalement stable aux températures supérieures à 880°C. Les essais ont montré que l'alliage Ti 6AI 4V s'avère optimal pour la fabrication d'une pièce d'horlogerie en titane poli miroir. La composition de cet alliage peut varier comme suit : (composition en pourcentage en poids) :In titanium alloys, aluminum has the property of stabilizing the α phase, which is stable at temperatures up to 880 ° C. Vanadium stabilizes the β phase which is normally stable at temperatures above 880 ° C. Tests have shown that the Ti 6AI 4V alloy is optimal for the manufacture of a timepiece in mirror-polished titanium. The composition of this alloy can vary as follows: (composition in percentage by weight):
Aluminium 5,5 à 6,75, vanadium 3,5 à 4,5, azote 0.05 maximum, carbone 0,1 maximum, hydrogène 0,015 maximum, fer 0,4 maximum, oxygène 0,2 maximum, éléments divers : 0,1 maximum chacun, 0,5 maximum au total, le reste étant du titane. Avantageusement, la carrure, le fond, la lunette, la boucle déployante, le fermoir et/ou le bracelet d'une montre sont réalisés dans un de ces alliages. Il est néanmoins aussi possible de combiner l'usage de ces alliages pour certains éléments ou pour certaines parties de certains éléments avec d'autres matériaux pour d'autres éléments. En particulier, il est possible de combiner l'utilisation de titane à moyenne ou haute résistance mécanique pour certaines pièces, en particulier pour des pièces visibles lorsque la montre est portée, avec du titane à basse résistance mécanique pour des pièces moins visibles, par exemple pour la boucle déployante, qui ne sera alors pas polie. Aluminum 5.5 to 6.75, vanadium 3.5 to 4.5, nitrogen 0.05 maximum, carbon 0.1 maximum, hydrogen 0.015 maximum, iron 0.4 maximum, oxygen 0.2 maximum, miscellaneous: 0.1 maximum each, maximum 0.5 in total, the remainder being titanium. Advantageously, the middle part, the back, the bezel, the folding clasp, the clasp and / or the strap of a watch are made of one of these alloys. It is nevertheless also possible to combine the use of these alloys for certain elements or for certain parts of certain elements with other materials for other elements. In particular, it is possible to combine the use of titanium with medium or high mechanical resistance for certain parts, in particular for visible parts when the watch is worn, with titanium with low mechanical resistance for less visible parts, for example for the folding clasp, which will then not be polished.

Claims

Revendications claims
1. Procédé de fabrication de pièce de montre en alliage massif de titane, caractérisé par les étapes suivantes :1. Method for manufacturing a watch piece made of solid titanium alloy, characterized by the following steps:
durcissement d'un alliage contenant au moins 75% de titane et possédant une résistance mécanique supérieure à 750Mpa au cours d'une étape de traitement thermomécanique,hardening of an alloy containing at least 75% titanium and having a mechanical strength greater than 750Mpa during a thermomechanical treatment step,
polissage des faces externes visibles de la pièce.polishing of the visible external faces of the part.
2. Procédé de fabrication de pièce de montre selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que ledit traitement thermomécanique est obtenu en chauffant l'alliage en-dessous de la température de transformation β au cours d'une opération de déformation de la pièce initiale2. Method of manufacturing watch parts according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said thermomechanical treatment is obtained by heating the alloy below the transformation temperature β during a deformation operation of the initial part
3. Procédé de fabrication de pièce de montre selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit traitement thermomécanique est obtenu en chauffant l'alliage à une température comprise entre 600 et 750°pendant l'étampage de la pièce de montre.3. Method of manufacturing watch part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said thermomechanical treatment is obtained by heating the alloy to a temperature between 600 and 750 ° during the stamping of the watch part.
4. Procédé de fabrication de pièce de montre selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le temps de chauffage, la température de chauffage et la pression exercée sont optimisés de manière à obtenir une taille des grains de l'alliage inférieure à 5μm.4. Method of manufacturing watch parts according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating time, the heating temperature and the pressure exerted are optimized so as to obtain a grain size of the alloy less than 5μm.
5. Procédé de fabrication de pièce de montre selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il ne comporte pas d'étape de trempe.5. Method of manufacturing watch parts according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it does not include a quenching step.
6. Procédé de fabrication de pièce de montre selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit alliage est de type biphasé α + β. 86. Method of manufacturing watch parts according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said alloy is of the biphasic type α + β. 8
7. Procédé de fabrication de pièce de montre selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit alliage possède la composition suivante (composition en pourcentage en poids) :7. Method of manufacturing watch parts according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said alloy has the following composition (composition in percentage by weight):
Aluminium 5,5 à 6,75, vanadium 3,5 à 4,5, azote 0.05 maximum, carbone 0,1 maximum, hydrogène 0,015 maximum, fer 0,4 maximum, oxygène 0,2 maximum, éléments divers : 0,1 maximum chacun, 0,5 maximum au total, le reste étant du titane.Aluminum 5.5 to 6.75, vanadium 3.5 to 4.5, nitrogen 0.05 maximum, carbon 0.1 maximum, hydrogen 0.015 maximum, iron 0.4 maximum, oxygen 0.2 maximum, miscellaneous: 0.1 maximum each, maximum 0.5 in total, the remainder being titanium.
8. Pièce de montre réalisée en un alliage massif contenant au moins 75% de titane, caractérisée en ce que ledit alliage est durci au cours d'une étape de traitement thermomécanique, possède une résistance mécanique supérieure à 750Mpa, et en ce que au moins les faces externes visibles de la pièce sont polies.8. Watch part made of a solid alloy containing at least 75% of titanium, characterized in that said alloy is hardened during a thermomechanical treatment step, has a mechanical resistance greater than 750Mpa, and in that at least the visible external faces of the part are polished.
9. Pièce de montre selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce que la taille des grains de l'alliage est inférieure à 5μm.9. Watch part according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the size of the grains of the alloy is less than 5 μm.
10. Pièce de montre selon l'une des revendications 8 ou 9, caractérisée en ce que ledit alliage est de type biphasé α + β.10. Watch part according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that said alloy is of the biphasic type α + β.
11. Pièce de montre selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce que ledit alliage possède la composition suivante (composition en pourcentage en poids) :11. Watch part according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said alloy has the following composition (composition in percentage by weight):
Aluminium 5,5 à 6,75, vanadium 3,5 à 4,5, azote 0.05 maximum, carbone 0,1 maximum, hydrogène 0,015 maximum, fer 0,4 maximum, oxygène 0,2 maximum, éléments divers : 0,1 maximum chacun, 0,5 maximum au total, le reste étant du titane.Aluminum 5.5 to 6.75, vanadium 3.5 to 4.5, nitrogen 0.05 maximum, carbon 0.1 maximum, hydrogen 0.015 maximum, iron 0.4 maximum, oxygen 0.2 maximum, miscellaneous: 0.1 maximum each, maximum 0.5 in total, the remainder being titanium.
12. Pièce de montre selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle est constituée par une carrure dont seules les surfaces externes visibles sont polies. 12. Watch part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is constituted by a middle part of which only the visible external surfaces are polished.
13. Pièce de montre selon l'une des revendications 8 à 12, caractérisée en ce qu'elle est constituée par une lunette dont les surfaces externes visibles sont polies.13. Watch part according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that it is constituted by a bezel whose visible external surfaces are polished.
14. Pièce de montre selon l'une des revendications 8 à 12, caractérisée en ce qu'elle est constituée par un bracelet dont au moins les surfaces externes visibles sont polies.14. Watch part according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that it is constituted by a bracelet of which at least the visible external surfaces are polished.
15. Montre comportant au moins une carrure selon la revendication 12 et un bracelet selon la revendication 14.15. Watch comprising at least one middle part according to claim 12 and a bracelet according to claim 14.
16. Montre selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte en outre au moins une autre pièce en titane ou en alliage de titane à résistance mécanique inférieure à celle de la carrure.16. Watch according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises at least one other piece of titanium or titanium alloy with mechanical strength lower than that of the middle part.
17. Montre selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce que au moins un élément de la boucle déployante est réalisé en titane ou en alliage de titane à résistance mécanique inférieure à celle de la carrure. 17. Watch according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one element of the folding clasp is made of titanium or of a titanium alloy with a mechanical resistance lower than that of the middle part.
EP98900519A 1998-01-27 1998-01-27 Manufacturing process of titanium alloy watch parts Expired - Lifetime EP1051533B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CH1998/000028 WO1999037827A1 (en) 1998-01-27 1998-01-27 Titanium alloy watch part

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EP1051533A1 true EP1051533A1 (en) 2000-11-15
EP1051533B1 EP1051533B1 (en) 2002-11-06

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CA (1) CA2318346A1 (en)
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EP1051533B1 (en) 2002-11-06
WO1999037827A1 (en) 1999-07-29
JP2002527611A (en) 2002-08-27
DE69809294T2 (en) 2003-08-21
AU5547398A (en) 1999-08-09
TW397940B (en) 2000-07-11
KR20010052152A (en) 2001-06-25
CA2318346A1 (en) 1999-07-29
ES2183317T3 (en) 2003-03-16
DE69809294D1 (en) 2002-12-12

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