De-Ox Silver Alloy: Argentium 960 Millform
(Originally published March 2017)
General Alloy Composition
96% silver, copper, germanium, and grain refiners
Suitable for
Fabrication
Melting Temperature Range
Solidus: 1,661°F (905°C)
Liquidus: 1,697°F (925°C)
Hardness (As-Cast) (HV)
65 HV after casting of bar or ingot.
Hardness (70% Cold-Work) (HV)
• Fully annealed (dead-soft) before cold working: 57 HV after full anneal and quench
• As-cast before cold working: 65 HV after casting of bar or ingot
• Torch annealed before cold working: 57 HV after full torch anneal and quench
Hardness (Age-Hardened) (HV)
• Two-step age hardness: Anneal the piece and quench after the red glow has disappeared; then, heat the piece in an oven at 572°F (300°C) for a minimum of 1.5 hours. Remove from the oven and allow to air-cool to room temperature (130 HV).
• Single-step age hardness: Heat the piece at 572°F (300°C) for a minimum of 1.5 hours. Remove from the oven and either allow to air-cool to room temperature (110 HV) or allow to cool slowly inside the enclosed oven to room temperature (120 HV).
Available Forms
Sheet, wire, tube, beads, findings, and chain.
Fusing Possible
Yes
Welding Possible
Suitable for pulse arc, resistance, and laser welding applications
Quenching Guidelines
Allow Argentium to cool until the red glow has disappeared (below 986°F/530°C) before touching or quenching.
Special Tips for Working with Alloy
- Argentium Silver displays a paler glow in comparison to traditional sterling silvers when at red-hot temperatures.
- For sheet and wire, a maximum of 50 percent reduction is advised between annealing.
Contact
GSM Metals Inc. Argentium International Limited
1-401-438-7092 44-0-845-209-7097