Decorative surface treatment for metals

Abstract

A decorative surface treatment of hardenable metals to achieve a three dimensional textured surface with the appearance of mokume gane or Damascus steel. The annealed surface of the metal is selectively hardened by a laser in zones next to unhardened areas. The unhardened areas are selectively eaten away by abrasives in a way that allows deep texture relief.

Description

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a ring during the laser hardening process.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ring's softer areas being abraded away.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ring after the abrasive process.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a ring after the abrasive process.

Claims

1. A decorative surface treatment for metals comprising: (a) a single hardenable metal such as titanium, stainless steel, or carbon steel in an annealed state,(b) selectively heating the surface of said metal with a laser to create zones of hardened and unhardened material,(c) and means for selectively abrading unhardened portions of the metal surface away to create a three dimensional textured surface with the appearance of Damascus steel or mokume gane.

2. The treatment of a metal in claim 1 wherein said metal is titanium.

3. The treatment of the metal in claim 2 wherein the titanium is anodized, causing the hardened and unhardened area to contrast in color.

4. The treatment of a metal in claim 1 wherein said material is coated with ceramic prior to laser hardening to enhance contrast.

5. The treatment of a metal in claim 1 wherein said metal gets an inlay of a softer precious metal such as gold, silver, or platinum, and said inlay is unaffected by the laser hardening process.