Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Vulkam is a French expert in amorphous metallurgy that designs and manufactures high-precision metal components from exclusive amorphous alloys (Vulkalloys®). Designed for demanding industries (watchmaking, medical, industry and aerospace and defense), our components benefit from fully French control of the entire value chain, from alloy formulation and thermoforming through to the machining of finished parts.
Vulkam’s manufacturing plant is located in Le Versoud, near Grenoble (Isère), France. Since 2026, Vulkam has operated its own 2,800 m² industrial site with a fully integrated value chain, from alloy development through to the delivery of finished components, ensuring full traceability with no compromise on quality.
Vulkam’s expertise stems from more than 30 years of fundamental metallurgy research at the SIMAP laboratory (CNRS / Grenoble INP / Université Grenoble Alpes). Founded by Sébastien Gravier and Alexis Lenain, Vulkam has industrialized this research through patented thermoforming processes. This in-depth scientific expertise enables Vulkam to produce amorphous metal components that go beyond the physical limits of conventional manufacturing processes.
Vulkam is first and foremost a manufacturer and industrial supplier of custom amorphous metal parts. Our in-house design office is a strategic support service that systematically leads to the manufacture and delivery of finished metal components.
Would you like to test Vulkalloys®? Contact our team, who will help you identify the alloy solution best suited to your mechanical requirements. Our standardized preform offering allows you to obtain your first parts quickly and without dedicated tooling, so that you can test and validate them under real-world conditions before investing.
The lead time for first parts is 6 weeks when ordered through our Preform offering. For projects requiring a dedicated thermoforming mold or series production, lead times depend on complexity and volume. Our team will provide you with a precise schedule after reviewing your specifications.
No. Switching to Vulkalloys® is a secure process thanks to our clear, step-by-step R&D roadmap. As your development partner, Vulkam supports you from A to Z: from the first test sample to high-volume production, each step is monitored, documented and jointly validated to eliminate any industrial risk.
Vulkam produces from prototypes to high-volume series, from a few dozen units to large production volumes. We support our customers from the very first validation phases.
Yes, thermoforming is ideal for the high-volume manufacture of complex parts. It is particularly well suited to large series thanks to its speed, precision and high repeatability.
No. The extreme precision of Vulkam’s thermoforming makes it possible to obtain net-shape parts that are functional straight out of the mold. However, if your specifications call for specific submicron tolerances, we can carry out localized finishing by fine machining or femtosecond laser. Vulkam is the only company in the world that machines amorphous alloys.
A single point of contact: Vulkam. Everything is done at Vulkam, from alloy formulation to thermoforming and precision finishing. Vulkam is the only plant in the world to integrate 100% of the value chain on its production site, eliminating reliance on multiple subcontractors.
Yes, the total acquisition cost is competitive. Less material scrap, fewer replacements, no surface treatments, less machining and fewer suppliers: the advantage consistently goes to Vulkalloys®.
Vulkalloy® Zr Inox is a zirconium-based amorphous metal alloy combining lightness, hardness and exceptional corrosion resistance. Stronger than titanium and lighter than steel, it offers remarkable scratch resistance and a natural, lasting shine without any surface treatment, making it a benchmark material for watchmaking and high-precision micromechanics.
Vulkalloy® Nb Med is a niobium-based amorphous alloy certified biocompatible (ISO 10993), specifically formulated for the medical and implantology sectors. Its very high fatigue resistance and elastic limit (significantly higher than those of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloys or 316L steels) allow extensive miniaturization of components without risk of fracture or plastic deformation. Thanks to its low coefficient of friction and excellent corrosion resistance, it reduces mechanical wear and ensures complete chemical stability under physiological stress. Its preferred applications are durable implants (vascular, orthopedic, dental) and high-precision microsurgery instruments.
Vulkalloy® Ni is a nickel-based amorphous metal alloy specifically designed for high-precision mechanisms and watch movements. With an elastic limit significantly higher than that of special steels, it withstands heavy loads and returns to its original shape without permanent deformation. Its low coefficient of friction halves energy losses and mechanical wear, while its natural non-magnetic properties and corrosion resistance ensure stability in aggressive environments. Its performance allows parts to be made thinner, for a significant reduction in mass and inertia.
Vulkalloy® Cu is a copper-based amorphous alloy intended for precision components subject to continuous dry friction. It is recommended for tribological pairing with Vulkalloy® Ni parts to prevent galling and reduce wear in demanding environments.
Yes, custom formulation of Vulkalloys® is one of the main strengths of our technology. Vulkalloys® can combine several properties: mechanical strength, elastic limit, wear resistance, tribology and corrosion resistance. We adapt the chemical composition of the alloy (based on niobium, zirconium, copper and nickel) to your technical requirements.
As a general rule, Vulkam does not develop alloys based on precious metals (gold, platinum, etc.). However, specific R&D studies can be considered depending on your needs. Our industrial priorities remain technical performance, material availability and economic viability.
Quality and homogeneity are ensured by in-house production control and strict monitoring of the chemical composition. Our processes ensure a high degree of material homogeneity. Each alloy is designed to be stable, reproducible and reliable at industrial scale.
| Mechanical Property | 316L / 17-4PH Stainless Steel | Grade 5 Titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) | Vulkalloys® (Amorphous Metal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic Structure | Crystalline (with grain boundaries) | Crystalline (with grain boundaries) | Amorphous (disordered, no weak points) |
| Elastic Limit | ~0.2% | ~0.8% | ~2.0% (10x more elastic than steel) |
| Wear and Scratch Resistance | Standard | Average (prone to galling) | Exceptional (up to 3x higher) |
| Magnetic Behavior | Variable / Sensitive | Non-magnetic | 100% natively non-magnetic |
| Alloy | Hardness (HV) | Flexural Elastic Limit (MPa) | Flexural Endurance Limit (MPa) | Elastic Strain (%) | Density (kg.m-3) | Magnetic Susceptibility | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vulkalloy Ni* | 800 | 2800 | 1450 | 1.9 | 8,800 | Non-magnetic between 1.2.10-3 and 1.6.10-4 | Watch movements, flexible micromechanisms… |
| Vulkalloy Zr Inox* | 480 | 1900 | 800 | 6,600 | Case and exterior components (watchmaking, leather goods, etc.) | ||
| Vulkalloy Cu | 515 | 1770 | 680 | 6,900 | Mechanical transmission (interface with Vulkalloy Ni) |
3 Amorphous Alloy Families (Nickel – Zirconium – Copper)
Vulkalloys® are 100% non-magnetic and offer up to 3 times the mechanical strength of titanium. These properties ensure stable regulation and accuracy of the watch movement, protected from surrounding magnetic fields, while reducing friction wear and considerably extending maintenance intervals.
Yes, Vulkalloys® fully meet the strictest tolerances of fine watchmaking. Micrometric dimensional accuracy, total non-magnetism, wear resistance and exceptional elasticity (elastic limit of ~2%, 10 times that of steel) are intrinsic properties that apply equally to regulating components and escapement parts as to case components.
Absolutely. The exceptional elastic limit (~2%) of Vulkalloys® makes them ideal for micromechanical springs. They are particularly well suited to mainsprings, barrel springs and flexible mechanisms, offering optimized energy storage, a high capacity for deformation without permanent set and a more constant power reserve.
Vulkalloy® components offer exceptional resistance to scratches, corrosion and mechanical fatigue. Parts retain their surface finish, dimensions and shine over the long term, with no visible degradation and no need for any surface treatment or subsequent coating.
Yes, Vulkam’s expertise extends to luxury leather goods, eyewear and jewelry. Vulkalloys® are used in clasps, buckles, hinges, temples and articulated mechanisms, wherever miniaturization, micrometric precision and extreme durability are required.
With an elastic coefficient up to 10 times higher than that of traditional crystalline alloys (titanium, steel), Vulkalloys® make it possible to produce flexible structures with high energy return and no plastic deformation. This enables the design of reliable, lightweight, one-piece antenna and solar panel deployment mechanisms, without mechanical joints prone to seizing.
Their amorphous atomic structure and high hardness give them a naturally low coefficient of friction and greatly reduced wear. They perform effectively in dry contact, avoiding the use of liquid lubricants that evaporate or solid lubricants that degrade.
None. Vulkalloys® are 100% inorganic, bulk amorphous metal alloys. They contain no organic binder or volatile element likely to outgas under ultra-high vacuum. They ensure compliance with strict space cleanliness standards, preserving optics and sensors.
Unlike most crystalline metals, which undergo a ductile-to-brittle transition at low temperatures, Vulkalloys® retain their fundamental mechanical properties, toughness and exceptional elasticity under severe cryogenic conditions.
Their high mechanical strength and the ability to obtain parts with micrometric tolerances directly by molding make it possible to reduce wall thickness and the overall size of components (screws, seals, hinges, connectors), delivering a mass saving that is decisive for launch costs.
At very small scales, traditional crystalline alloys show their limits: loss of stiffness, premature wear or machining constraints on micro-sections. Vulkalloys® offer a superior alternative by combining very high mechanical strength, controlled elasticity with immediate response and high wear resistance in a reduced footprint.
Thanks to an elastic limit well above that of stainless steel, sub-millimeter tool shafts and heads absorb substantial bending forces without breaking or plastically deforming. In addition, the absence of grain boundaries and the high hardness of amorphous metal keep cutting tools sharp despite repeated wear.
In integrated medical devices (pumps, injectors), the near-absence of elastic lag in Vulkalloys® ensures a strictly identical mechanical response at every cycle. Used on sensor diaphragms, they deliver high repeatability and highly precise dosing over time.
For applications such as orthopedic staples, Vulkalloys® offer greater mechanical strength and a more durable spring effect than Nitinol. This makes it possible to apply constant, reliable compression on the osteosynthesis site without loss of mechanical load.
Yes. Vulkalloys® make it possible to obtain high-precision geometric details, such as threads for osteosynthesis screws, straight out of the mold. This high native geometric precision strengthens the hold of the assembly and limits thread stripping during insertion.
Our material data sheets
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