New silver alloy won't tarnish - Tech Support Forums

Blitzkreig75 · January 24th, 2006, 07:52 PM

Has anyone else heard this? Scientists inEurope, (I can't remember which country), have developed a new silver alloy that does not tarnish. Big deal, huh?

Hell yes, it's a big deal, (I think)!

From what I understand, silver conducts electricity much better than gold. Silver is harder and therefore, in theory, could handle higher temps. Not to mention the cost difference. Gold has been traditionally used in electronic components because it doesn't tarnish like silver does. Is this as big a breakthrough as I think? Could the next generation of CPUs use silver in place of gold?

Please, someone straighten me out, here.

paul9 · January 24th, 2006, 08:02 PM

I don't think it is more conductive than gold, but cheaper. An alloy would change the resistivity (how well it conducts) but it may still be good for contacts and plugs/sockets.

Blitzkreig75 · January 24th, 2006, 08:40 PM

I knew an electrician who told me that silver is definately the best conductive metal. I am no scientist, so I really don't know....

Have you heard about this new alloy thing?

RamonGTP · January 24th, 2006, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul9

I don't think it is more conductive than gold, but cheaper. An alloy would change the resistivity (how well it conducts) but it may still be good for contacts and plugs/sockets.

Agreed. Siliver itself is a better conductor, but a silver alloy may not be.

Blitzkreig75 · January 24th, 2006, 09:31 PM

I just did a google on the topic. Apparently, the new alloy developed is for the cosmetic effect of the silver, not conductivity. Oh, well.

Maybee I'll buy a boat load of silver stock. The links I found all say that the alloy will increase the value of silver dramaticly. But say nothing pertaining to technology.

Sorry about the false alarm...I should do my homework....