Argentium Silver

[Bluesilver]

Hi - I have done some reading up on Argentium Silver yet remain confused. Can it be used for cold wire working just like sterling silver wire?

Must it be baked/heated in order to become tarnish resistant?

Currently I wire wrap glass,stones, make jump rings,ear wires,clasps etc. with sterling silver dead soft wire. I work harden it then tumble it...can I work like this with AS?

I worry about baking it and what this will do to the glass and stones in my pieces?


thanks!

[Metalman]

To quote Cynthia Eid’s article [link below] “The protective germanium oxide layer forms at room temperature. Heating processes such as soldering and precipitation/heat hardening accelerate the germanium oxide formation. If hardening is not required or if the work has been abraded or polished after hardening, then items can be placed in an oven for 10-20 minutes at 250°F [121°C] to speed up the oxide formation”

The full article: http://www.riogrande.com/images/ArgentiumSterlingSilver.pdf

What this means is that the non – tarnishing effect of the Argentium will take effect without any additional baking or heating. If you wish to accelerate the effect, the heating temperature of 250°F probably will not effect you stones and glass.

[Bluesilver]

OK - that sounds encouraging for the work I do. I did read through the attachment and will propbably read it a few more times...

I am still confused ( just a little ) - so at room temperature the tarnish resistance will develop and is only accelarated by heating. But...do baked pieces have more tarnish resistance than the ones left at room temperature.

I do cold work with wire using hand tools and tool marks do develop does AS need to be baked after filing/sanding? or will the tarnish resistance still kick in?

What about tumbling with steel shot?

To work with AS do I have to use new hand tools to avoid contamination?


Thanks -  

[Metalman]

I am still confused ( just a little ) - so at room temperature the tarnish resistance will develop and is only accelarated by heating. But...do baked pieces have more tarnish resistance than the ones left at room temperature.
Eventually and in the end the room temperature ones will get there but the timing is the factor - the 'baking' ensures that the tarnish resistance is up to snuff right away.
I do cold work with wire using hand tools and tool marks do develop does AS need to be baked after filing/sanding? or will the tarnish resistance still kick in?
It will be best to do your finish work first and then bake for the tarnish resistance.
What about tumbling with steel shot? Steel shot is not heavily abrasive but I would be inclined to bake for the tarnish resistance after tumbling.
To work with AS do I have to use new hand tools to avoid contamination?
Reread the section in Ms. Eid's paper on contamination. in general, your hand tools should be fine - soldering pads, abrasive wheels and chemical solutions may need to be separate.