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Although about one quarter of the world's annual silver supply is consumed in photography, much of this silver is recycled from within the photographic sector from used film, fluids and paper.
- All of the silver in colour film processing is kept in the developing solution - none ends up on the photo - meaning that 100 percent recycling is possible.
- Black and white imaging is the poorest recycler of silver. X-rays consume 30 to 40 percent of the silver used in photography annually and the number of x-rays taken each year is growing rapidly.
- Much of the growth in demand for photographic products comes from developing countries, where recycling industries are immature and access to digital technology is very limited.
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Sterling silver contains 92.5 percent silver. It is commonly alloyed with gold or copper for manufacture of stunning jewelry and silverware.
- Silver can be buffed to a higher polish than any other metal, a quality highlighted in mirrors and reflective coatings on glass, cellophane, and metals.
- Silver's superior ductility and reflective luster make it a better metal for jewelry than the more brittle and duller gray finish of platinum -- it is also much less expensive.
- As a precious metal, silver is also used in coinage programs in many countries. The US Strategic Defence Stockpile contained approximately 2 billion ounces of silver after World War II. The last of this silver was delivered to the US Mint in 2001. Silver for future US coinage programs will be sourced from open market purchases.
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One of the most fascinating properties of silver is its bactericidal quality.
- In ionic form, silver kills bacteria by breaking down their cell walls, yet it is inert in the human body. No silver-resistant bacterial strains are known to exist.
- Besides the more commonly known silver medicinal uses in eye drops, nasal spray and burn ointments, silver is replacing the use of chlorine, which is now suspected to have long-term toxic effects, in water filtration systems for hospitals, apartments, pools, schools and municipalities.
- Silver compounds may grow very rapidly in use as wood preservatives (for decking, outdoor furniture, railroad ties, telephone poles, etc.) as a substitute for arsenic compounds, which are toxic to the environment. Several large home product retailers have stated that, within two years, they will no longer sell arsenic treated wood.
- In a similar use, paints containing silver compounds may gradually replace those currently used for marine anti-fouling coatings for boats, docks, piers, etc.
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Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals. In fact silver defines conductivity - all other metals are compared against it.
- Silver possesses the unique ability to not spark, making its use in electrical contacts irreplaceable.
- Silver has the unique ability to "wet" (join) many metals. It is this quality that consumes silver in many soldering and brazing applications. Silver is replacing tin/lead solders in many applications -- for its higher conductivity and to eliminate the use of lead for environmental reasons.
- Silver tape is a critical component of high temperature superconductive wires, which can carry more electrical current than conventional wire bundles, with far less resistance and in a fraction of the space. Superconductive cables will be a critical component of power grids of the future, especially in metropolitan areas where space is at a premium and the existing power infrastructure must carry greater current loads.
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