[Jewelry making - Article 00082] - Re: [Orchid] A different Argentium problem

[Eva Martin]

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>     Recently, I am finding that touching the piece during the
>     soldering operation, has caused sections to break off. Basically, I
>     attenpted to move the bracelet into a better position while
>     heating. I used dry room temperature forceps. Bad move - I broke
>     off a whole flat section about 1cm square. So, is Rio medium solder
>     too "hot" for what I am attempting?

Hi Debby,

    Argentium will crack or break if it's moved, or if any pressure is
    applied to it when it's too hot. So nudging a piece with your pick
    whilst soldering, or using binding wire to hold pieces in position
    will cause problems. 

    I have read on a couple of articles on Argentium that say that it
    shouldn't be quenched until "red heat is no longer viable" (eg:
    http://www.silversmithing.com/1argentium.htm). 

    However I've found that quenching even when the red heat has just
    dissipated can cause problems with cracking or warping. As I
    understand it, heat doesn't dissipate from Argentium as quickly it
    does from standard sterling, so I tend to leave it for a good 15-20
    seconds after soldering before I quench it.  Now this may be because
    my Argentium stock is quite old - I bought mine in the UK about 3-4
    years ago - I have heard that the alloy has improved since. 

    I've used Hoover & Strong's medium silver solder with Argentium quite
    happily on a number of pieces. I think the flow point of your Medium
    solder should be ok - the new Argentium silver Hard solder from Rio
    has a flow point of 1355F. 

Hope that's of some help,
Eva

Eva Martin
Hampshire, UK.
www.evamartin.com

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