Here is are two images that show magnified grain structure of welds
in traditional Sterling Silver and Argentium Sterling Silver. The
grains are quite small in the AS weld, which is why they are less
brittle.
Also, I will note that students of mine who tried fusing AS instead
of Fine Silver for links for chains found that they had fewer
failures and breakages. I think that this is due to the wide
temperature range that the AS alloy has for melting. Fine silver, as
a pure metal, has a specific melting temperature, which makes it
more difficult to reach fusing temperature without overheating.
Here is are two images that show magnified grain structure of
welds in traditional Sterling Silver and Argentium Sterling Silver.
The grains are quite small in the AS weld, which is why they are
less brittle.
This is definitely why fusing and welding Argentium is a much nicer
experience than standard sterling. The Ge in the Argentium is acting
as a grain refiner and keeping the grain size small. This is a good
thing.
Also, I will note that students of mine who tried fusing AS instead
of Fine Silver for links for chains found that they had fewer
failures and breakages. I think that this is due to the wide
temperature range that the AS alloy has for melting. Fine silver,
as a pure metal, has a specific melting temperature, which makes it
more difficult to reach fusing temperature without overheating.
This is definitely the case. in fact fusing fine silver is a real
pain due to the balancing act one needs to do between reaching a
local melting for the fusing and keeping the whole item from
melting.
Argentium definitely has some significant advantages over standard
sterling in certain areas, no fire stain and small grain size are
two big ones
Absolutely true! The ring meant to teach few things, like forming,
precision piercing and been able to solder without destroying
previous efforts. By no means it should ever be worn, unless it is
18k or platinum.
Making that ring in silver will certainly teach one to deal with
frustration. Maybe its not really a beginners’ project, since one
improves by building on success and gaining confidence.
