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The technological revolution has transformed silver, the old metal of coin and art, into a key component of electronics, X-rays, photography, computers, aerospace and medicine.
Silver is the most reflective metal, which means that it can be polished to "give back" as much light as hits it.
The film coating on mirror backings is a common "industrial" use of silver. Besides vanity uses, mirrors are important components in telescopes, microscopes and solar panels.
Silver is the best heat conductor of all metals. Its uses in solar panels and automobile rear window defoggers take advantage of this quality.
Silver alloys readily with gold and copper and is commonly combined with one or both for manufacture of dental fillings and fixtures, jewelry and silverware. Sterling silver contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. 14 karat gold consists of 53% gold, 25% silver and 22% copper.
Silver has the capacity to join, or "wet", other metals at temperatures far below their melting points. It is for this reason that silver brazing alloys and solders are commonly used in tubing and electrical conduits for household appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers.
Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals. In fact, silver defines conductivity - all other metals are compared against it. On a scale of 0 to 100, silver ranks 100, with copper at 97 and gold at 76. Because of this property, and because it doesn't spark easily, silver is commonly used in electrical circuits and contacts. Silver is also utilized in batteries where dependability is mandatory and weight restrictions apply, such as those for portable surgical tools, hearing aids, pacemakers and space travel.
One of the most fascinating properties of silver is its bactericidal quality. Small concentrations of silver or silver salts kill bacteria by chemically affecting the cell membranes, causing them to break down. Bacteria do not develop resistance to silver, as they do to many antibiotics. Because of its bactericidal properties, silver nitrate drops are used to clean the eyes of newborns in much of the world. Silver rich cremes are common household ointments for burns. Cotton gauze soaked in silver solution is proving a miracle cure for intensive care burn victims. While silver keeps bacteria at bay, it also cauterizes minor capillaries, preventing blood loss, and the buildup of excessive scar tissue. Silver gauze is used to pack wounds of patients during transport to medical facilities. It is relatively inert in the human body, so it is commonly used to pin fractured bones, and sew large wounds. Silver-based water purification systems, both portable and industrial, are gaining widespread popularity.
Silver has a pure sweet acoustic resonance, better than any other metal, and is preferred by musicians for making high quality silver bells and musical instruments. |
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