Silver, Ag, Argentum

[Chris Carlen]

Hi:

Aside from the fact that the white metal's price has shot up to $7.40/oz
as of 05:00 GMT, I also find the stuff is frequently spread all over
electrical contacts.

The result is of course that they tarnish and become very difficult to
solder. Such as the BNC connector solder terminals that I was working
with this afternoon. After wire brushing them, they become more manageable.

But the center contact of the BNCs are also quite tarnished.

What is the effect of tarnished silver on electrical conductivity?

Why is silver plated on solder terminals when the obvious consequence is
that they will wind up tarnishing and becoming very difficult to solder?
Why not just plate all solder terminals with tin?

I've always had a peculiar fascination and love affair with silver, but
I just don't like it on my solder terminals.


Good day!




--
_____________________
Christopher R. Carlen
crobc@earthlink.net
SuSE 9.1 Linux 2.6.5

 

[xray]

On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 04:11:20 GMT, Chris Carlen
<crobc@BOGUS_FIELD.earthlink.net> wrote:

What is the effect of tarnished silver on electrical conductivity?

The tarnished silver actually conducts pretty well. That's one of the
reasons it is so popular for RF circuits and connectors.

 

[Chris Carlen]

xray wrote:

On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 04:11:20 GMT, Chris Carlen
crobc@BOGUS_FIELD.earthlink.net> wrote:


What is the effect of tarnished silver on electrical conductivity?


The tarnished silver actually conducts pretty well. That's one of the
reasons it is so popular for RF circuits and connectors.

Is gold in the quantities needed for plating contacts that much more
expensive (relative to the cost of the whole item) than silver?

Isn't gold better?



Good day!


--
_______________________________________________________________________
Christopher R. Carlen
Principal Laser/Optical Technologist
Sandia National Laboratories CA USA
crcarle@sandia.gov -- NOTE: Remove "BOGUS" from email address to reply.