[Boatanchors] cleaning tarnish from 90 degree coax connectors

[W2HX]

Someone with a chemistry background should chime in here, but I don't think silver sulfide is an insulator. If I am correct, then there may be no benefit to removing it. In fact if you remove it you will probably also be removing some atoms of the silver as well. Other than for cosmetic purposes, I don't believe it is detrimental. But I could be wrong here and will gladly defer to those that know better.

Whilst typing this, I decided to do some googling. And found some articles. In particular, Tyco says the following about silver and silver sulfide on connectors...

http://www.te.com/documentation/whitepapers/pdf/Ag_use_connectors_503-1016.pdf

"If the quality and level of silver tarnish is not excessive and wipe and sufficient normal
loads are incorporated into the connector design, silver tarnish typically will not cause contact performance
problems (Figure 5). The films can even lead to durability and insertion force improvements."

YMMV

Eugene


-----Original Message-----
From: Boatanchors [mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David C. Hallam
Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2016 12:37 PM
To: John King; Boatanchors Mail List; King Verne; John Milner; Al Parker; Herman Campbell
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] cleaning tarnish from 90 degree coax connectors

If they are silver plated, the tarnish is silver sulfide.  Any commercial silverware cleaning solution will remove it.  Just remember to wear rubber gloves when you wipe.

David
KW4DH

On 1/31/2016 11:40 AM, John King via Boatanchors wrote:
> I am in a project and need to remove the "natural" tarnish from the 
> bodies of about 25  ninety degree coax connectors. I removed a slight 
> amount of the tarnish with ammonia but they are still not  tarnish 
> free. Have any of you found and experienced an effective method of 
> removing the tarnish? I have at least 50 vintage boatanchor rigs to 
> cable up. I know  you might say why and my answer is that they are 
> there and at 78 years old what else is there to do? Thanks and 73, 
> John, K5PGW 
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