The Incipient Melting of Silver in the Presence of Sulphur and Oxygen

Silver reacts readily with many atmospheric contaminants. The tarnishing of silver is a result recognizable to most people. When a tarnish film is made up by exposure to sulphur, and the silver is then heated in the 300°-700°C temperature range, unexpected surface activity occurs. An analysis of this activity reveals that spherical globules collect over the entire surface area. The nature and extent of globule formation depends upon the amount of sulphur on the silver surface, the exposure time, temperatur, and the oxygen content of the atmosphere in which the silver is heated. A method for removing the causative contamination is suggested Which might improve the performance of silver alloy or silver-plated parts used in electronic components.