With a dazzling white brilliance, silver is a very malleable metal. Due to its high electrical conductivity, silver is frequently used in semiconductors and electronics.
Silver is crucial for light- and heavy-current engineering because it has the highest electrical conductivity of any metal. Silver is an economically cheaper metal plating that may be used than other precious metals. Silver can be used in place of lubricants by engine manufacturers due to its lubricity and excellent temperature resistance.
Silver plating is the process of covering other metals with a layer of silver. The procedure seems straightforward. But it needs the base metal to have an even layer of silver to get a matte white appearance. It is utilized in anti-galling and bearing surface applications.
Silver is also the second-most malleable metal after gold. Its exceptional anti-fretting qualities make it the ideal coating for high-stress applications like sliding bearings in the aerospace industry. In addition, silver possesses the following characteristics that make it a desirable choice for various uses.
- The metal with the best thermal and electrical conductivity is silver.
- Its weight and melting point are the lowest among precious metals.
- It is simple to metalize with other metals like tin and aluminum.
- Because it is a noble metal, silver is resistant to acids and chemicals.
- Biocompatibility is required for use in medicine so that ions do not have adverse effects when they come into touch with the body.
- Silver electroplating increases the lubricity of a surface, making it desirable for equipment with moving parts.
- Of all the metals, silver has the maximum light reflectance.
- Due to silver’s antimicrobial and antibacterial qualities, medical equipment can be used on patients without risk, thanks to its resistance to germs and bacterial growth.
- Because it is ductile and easily alloyed with other metals, it is easily manufactured.
Standards Followed In FMC
ASTM B700 – Electrodeposited Coatings of Silver for Engineering Use