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Ductile and Malleable, NOT!

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Ductile refers to how much a material can be drawn or stretched into thin wire without breaking. Often referenced as a percent reduction of the cross-section, it is called plastic deformation. The most ductile elements are platinum, gold, and silver.

Malleable is the degree to which metals can be hammered or pressed into thin sheets without cracking. Though distinctly different than ductility, it still describes extreme plastic deformation. Gold and silver top the list here, too.

One takeaway applies: The ability or susceptibility to be deformed. In other words, malleable or ductile with enough force. Metals with a low Mohs hardness are generally easier to shape. Other physical properties have an effect - annealed metals endure greater stress or manipulation.

I make rings from tantalum and zirconium. Both are highly ductile and malleable. Their hardness, however, makes it seem like swimming an ocean instead of doing laps when it comes to shaping them. That force is substantially greater than with any precious metal.

The ring expander worked without fanfare or struggle. The reducer forces them into or through a tapered die to decrease the diameter. Other things will happen: wall thickness increases, width increases, or they turn from flat to half-round. The latter causes an unacceptable concavity on the inside, which must be flat or convex in a finished product.

Tantalum fought well but it eventually conceded. Zirconium had other plans. It didn't budge. My 2-ton arbor press did nothing. A 20-ton hydraulic press eventually persuaded it.

I hammered them to flatten the profile. Both fiercely rejected my attempts. The outside was flattened somewhat; the inside didn't change much. Granted, I wasn't using my largest hammer or most intense strikes. They hadn't work-hardened enough to be so uncooperative.

Forging it will change its dimensions, too. Ring size and width will increase as the inner edge and dome flatten. The central ridge absorbing the blows will thin so it'll be like a reverse half-round. Planning for these changes will ensure the correct finished measurements.

Part of the challenge pertains to one of my starting materials, a tube. After cutting a section, it must be forged to size whereas bars can be machined to perfection with minimal forging. Lathes make things quantumly more efficient; one is coming soon. Until then, these tubes have some serious abuse heading their way.

Malleable, fail. Ductile, don't know yet, haven't tried making wire. Tantalum is supposed to be like copper, zirconium like steel. Again, it doesn't mean they are drawn as easily, just similar ductility.

Wire eventually makes chains. I like chains. No one has zirconium; tantalum is rare. Curating or developing a niche market is dicey. Do I even try knowing I can't weld or solder them yet, thus being a poser relegated to butted chains (low-quality novelty items from unskilled workers, not legitimate jewelry from talented artisans)? Not too keen on that.

Posted by M: April 4, 2026

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