Why silver might be a better plating proposition than other precious metals
Many of the industrial plating techniques we employ at Karas Plating involve the use of precious metals. Gold, copper and silver are among the most popular services we provide to businesses across the UK. While the processes may vary, the intended results are the same: a thin layer of the metal in question, layered onto the carefully prepared substrate beneath.
Is silver a better choice?
While those other precious metals certainly have their place in a number of applications, silver plating may be the most useful of them all. Here are just a few reasons why…
Electrical conduction
Silver is much in use in the electrical, electronic and power generation industries for its superb electrical conductivity. Of all the precious metals, silver is the most conductive, making it the logical choice for applications where speed of conduction is critical. It is one of the reason silver-plating edges out gold plating for use in batteries and solar panels, though not the only reason.
Thermal conduction
Silver is not just an excellent conductor of electricity, but also of heat, which makes it highly resistant to rises in temperature compared to other metals. This makes it an ideal material for plating components for the automotive and aerospace industries among others.
Corrosion resistance
Silver is not only a precious metal in its own right, it is also used to protect other metals from corrosion. Commonly applied to tin and copper, silver helps to prevent rust and corrosion, giving the substrate material greater longevity.
Cost-effectiveness
This, above all, is the reason for silver’s popularity. Simply put, silver is cheaper than gold, while producing results that are comparable in quality (if not better). For any budget-conscious business, getting value for money and a good return on investment are key considerations. Of course, the larger the order you are putting in, the more you are saving. No wonder larger companies choose silver over gold wherever they can.