The Anti-tarnishing, Microstructure analysis and Mechanical properties of Sterling silver with silicon addition

Authors

  • Sirirut NISARATANAPORN Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University
  • Ekasit NISARATANAPORN Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University

Keywords:

Silver-copper-silicon alloy, Anti-tarnish, Casting surface

Abstract

An investigation on the anti-tarnish properties of 0-0.5%wt silicon-added sterling silver was preformed. Mechanical properties such as hardness and tensile strength were also studied. It was found that the surface of as-cast specimens using an investment (lost wax) process became brighter with increasing silicon content. The Anti-tarnish properties of silicon-added silver alloys obtained by inserting specimens under the atmosphere of sulfur was also improved when compared to the silver alloy without silicon. The Anti-tarnish properties also depend on the silver content. For example, an alloy with 95%wt Ag was better tarnish resistant than the 92.5%Ag alloy. However microstructural analysis indicated that with increasing silicon content the microstructure of the silicon-added specimens had a tendency to be a network structure which was formed by the copper silicon rich phase occurring at the grain boundary of the alpha grain (Ag rich phase). As a result, the hardness increased gradually and the ductility decreased significantly with only a 0.04% by weight increase in the amount of silicon.

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References

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Published

2022-08-21

How to Cite

[1]
S. NISARATANAPORN and E. NISARATANAPORN, “The Anti-tarnishing, Microstructure analysis and Mechanical properties of Sterling silver with silicon addition”, J Met Mater Miner, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 13–18, Aug. 2022.

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2003)

Section

Original Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2003 The Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals (JMMM)

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