Uses of Silver

Batteries – Silver cells have superior power-to-weight characteristics;

Bearings – Electroplated bearings with high purity silver have greater fatigue strength and load carrying capacity;

Brazing & soldering - Silver facilitates the joining of materials and produces naturally smooth, leak-tight and corrosion-resistant joints;

Catalysts – Silver in the presence of other elements or compounds can significantly increase their chemical reaction and silver has been essential to the production of chemicals for the plastics industry. Silver is also equally effective as an oxidant in aqueous phase reactions.

Coins – Silver coins continue to be the medium of exchange wherever paper is not acceptable. Silver is used for bullion, commemorative and proof coins. Mexico still uses silver in its’ circulating coinage.

Electrical – Silver is the best electrical conductor of all metals and is therefore used in many electrical applications, particularly in conductors, switches, contacts, fuses and relays. Silver’s tendency to tarnish does not affect its electrical performance.

Electronics – Silver is widely used for silk-screened circuit paths, membrane switches, electrically heated automobile windows and conductive adhesives. It is also used in electrical appliances where silver-contact membrane switch panels are found.

Electroplating – The ease of electrodeposition of silver accounts for silver’s widespread use in electroplated coatings for delicate Christmas ornaments to heavy duty equipment, with plating thickness ranging from as fine as less than one micron through to seven microns.

Jewelry and Silverware – Silver possesses working qualities similar to gold, but enjoys greater reflectivity and can achieve the most brilliant polish of any metal.

Medical Applications – Silver’s importance in medicine is as a bactericide and it is used in purification. Silver is increasingly being incorporated into wound dressings and care products and into fabrics for the prevention of secondary infections. Silver halide crystals are used in x-rays. Surgical gowns and draperies also include silver to prevent microbial transmission. Research is ongoing on the use of silver and its compounds for medical and therapeutic use.

Mirrors and Other Coatings – Silver’s unique optical reflectivity allows it to be used both in mirrors and coatings for glass, cellophane or metals. New invisible silver, is used on double pane thermal windows resulting in energy savings.

Photography – Approximately, 5,000 colour photographs can be taken using one ounce of silver. Although a wide variety of other technology is available, silver-based photography will retain its pre-eminence due to its superior definition and low cost.

Solar Energy – Silver paste is used in crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, the most common solar cells. Silver also plays another role in the collection of solar energy, silver provides efficient reflection of solar heat – as silver is the best reflector of thermal energy (after gold).

Water Purification – Silver is employed as a bactericide and algaecide in an ever increasing number of water purification systems. New research into silver compounds which are bacteria resistant is underway. New research has shown that the catalytic action of silver, in concert with oxygen, provides a powerful sanitizer, virtually eliminating the need for the use of corrosive chlorine.

Silver in Clothing – Silver kills odor-causing bacteria; it also keeps the wearer warm in cold weather and cold in hot weather by redistributing body heat. Textile manufacturers are now producing silver-coated fabrics designed for high-tech performance clothing, athletic gear, underwear and footwear. Capitalizing on silver’s ability to keep clothes smelling fresh, the use of silver in textiles will probably continue to grow.

Source: www.silverinstitute.org