[TheForge] silver wire questions

[James Binnion]

>
> To harden sterling silver, heat it to 600=B0F (316=B0C) for 30 to 50=20=

> minutes in a kiln or furnace. Air-cool the sterling silver before=20
> pickling it. The hardness will then be equal to the hardness achieved=20=

> by cold-working it to a 50% reduction (or 3/4-hard).
>
> Pickle the sterling in Sparex (best) or go to a local store that sells=20=

> swimming pool supplies and get some PH Minus (sodium bisulfate).  This=20=

> will remove any fire scale if you do any silver soldering to it and=20
> will remove any traces of tarnish.
>

Unfortunately this will not work unless the wire has been solution=20
treated (heat to 1250=B0F and quench in water immediately ) before you=20=

try to precipitation treat it by heating to 600=B0F and you will not=20
achieve the hardness you quote unless this process is done under strict=20=

lab type conditions. Most silver stock is not put into a solution state=20=

before being shipped as it is tricky to do it without excessive grain=20
growth which is detrimental to the mechanical properties of the stock. =20=

Most sterling is annealed down closer to 1100=B0F  where grain growth is=20=

not as big a problem.

FWIW

Jim=