Enhancement of mechanical properties for selective platinum group metal alloy systems by age hardening

A method for increasing the toughness of a platinum-based binary alloy system, the method comprsing:

• selecting a binary alloy system which is characterized by a defined miscibility gap;
• heating said alloy to a temperature which is within the miscibility gap but below the recrystallization temperature;
• and
• maintaining said temperature for a duration sufficient to achieve a defined tensile strength and ductility.

A method for manufacturing a platinum-based cork screw fixation device, the method comprising:

• selecting a binary alloy system material whose components are characterized by a defined miscibility gap;
• heating said alloy to a temperature which is within the miscibility gap but below the recrystallization temperature;
• maintaining said temperature for a duration sufficient to achieve a defined tensile strength and ducitility;
• and
• forming a cork screw fixation device from said material after tensile stength and ductility have been increased.

A method for manufacturing a platinum-based cork screw fixation device, the method comprising:

• selecting a binary alloy system material whose components are characterized by a defined miscibility gap;
• forming a cork screw fixation device from said material;
• heating said alloy to a temperature which is within the miscibility gap but below the recrystallization temperature;
• and
• maintaining said temperature for a duration sufficient to achieve a defined tensile strength and ducitility.

A method for increasing the tensile strength of a platinum-based binary alloy system without decreasing its ductility, the method comprising:

• annealing a binary alloy system, said system characterized by a defined miscibility gap;
• after annealing, heating said alloy to a temperature which is within the miscibility gap but below the recrystallization temperature;
• and
• maintaining said temperature for a duration sufficient to achieve a defined tensile strength.