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| Sterling
silver (92.5% Ag/7.5% Cu) has been the standard alloy for silverware
and jewelry for many years - however it is susceptible to tarnishing.
Attempts so far at developing tarnish resistant alloys that
meet the 'sterling silver' purity standard have met with limited
success. Those that have been commercialized resulted
in increased cost and have complicated the manufacturing process
for sterling silver. |
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The
SRC is taking a different approach by developing
tarnish resistant surface treatments rather than a new alloy.
By treating the surface where tarnish appears, rather than
the bulk of the material, it should be possible to reduce
costs, while still achieving the desired effect. The goal
is a treatment that will increase ten fold the time
before noticeable tarnishing appears and one that can be
used by all silver fabricators.
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