The medical industry makes great use of many plating processes for various tools and devices. From electrical contacts in electronic equipment to sterile coatings for surgical implements, the applications are many and varied.
Of the many plating techniques we employ at Karas Plating, silver is one of the most popular metals for use in the medical industry, possessing several important qualities that make it the perfect choice for many medical devices.
Here is just a few of them…
Cost-effectiveness
Silver is the least expensive precious metal, whilst sharing many of the qualities of gold and palladium. Using silver plating can significantly reduce costs, with little impact on performance.
Biocompatibility
In the medical industry, a key consideration is biocompatibility – that is, not causing an adverse reaction upon contact with the human body. Silver is one such metal, making it a popular choice for surgical tools and implants.
Antimicrobial and Antibacterial Qualities
Silver is highly resistant to harmful microbes and bacteria. Not only does it prevent bacterial growth, it actually targets certain parts of the bacteria cell upon contact, preventing them from building up their own resistance to silver. These qualities are essential for use in a medical environment.
Light Reflectivity
Silver plating has the highest degree of optical reflectivity within the range visible to the human eye. This makes it’s a popular choice in medical lasers.
Conductivity
Silver’s excellent electrical conductivity makes it a popular choice for high-precision electrosurgical tools and other devices. Even when silver tarnishes, it retains the same high level of electrical conductivity.
Low Weight
Silver is the lightest of all the precious metals. Not only does it allow for the manufacture of less cumbersome medical devices, it makes it highly-prized for the manufacture of micro-components.
Corrosion Resistance
Silver demonstrates excellent resistance to corrosion, ensuring that any tools or devices to which it is applied will last longer. It is often used to coat surgical implements, adding a corrosion-resistant layer to a steel core. Whilst silver is known to tarnish, this is an aesthetic concern, one that doesn’t reduce the effectiveness of the metal.