[Jewelry making - Article 00123] - Re: [Orchid] A different Argentium problem

[Zen Sojourner]

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>         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. 

    OK, I went and checked, and the manufacturer of Argentium recommends
    extra easy, easy, and medium solder for use with Argentium. 
    However, RG lists only easy Argentium solder in their catalog.  They
    were already closed.  I'll try to call them tomorrow to check on
    availability of other grades of Argentium solder, but I just talked
    to them a couple of days ago and was told then that they had only the
    one grade of Argentium solder. 

    However, going by the following statement off an Argentium info
    site, talking about conductivity: 

          "...standard sterling silver (is) 96%, while a sterling alloy
          containing 1.1% germanium has a conductivity of 56%. 

          The significance of this is that the Argentium(r) Sterling
          Silver does not dissipate heat and energy as quickly as
          standard sterling silver. This may be an advantage in that it
          is possible to use a more localized flame when carrying out
          soldering operations." 

    This would seem to indicate that different grades of solder may not
    be so critical when soldering because heat conductance is so much
    less that you get a more "pinpoint" heating effect (which also has
    the unfortunate side effect of potentially damaging your piece if you
    try to move it too soon).  So it should, in many cases, be possible
    to solder in a new spot without melting out your other soldered
    joints. 

    I know people who solder standard sterling with only one grade of
    silver solder, so I don't see why this couldn't be done more easily
    (given the lower rate of heat conductance) with Argentium. 

    The availability of the Argentium solder is still pretty new - does
    anybody have experience with using it yet?  Or if you've used
    sterling solders, what differences, advantages, or disadvantages have
    you noted? 

    I still can't find any information on relative values of hardness
    when we're talking about dead soft, 1/4 hard, 1/2 hard, etc.
    comparing Argentium to standard sterling and/or fine sliver.  The
    manufacturer mentions precipitation hardening to between 110 and 120
    hv, but I don't know how that compares to standard sterling (or
    anything else, for that matter). 

Sojourner

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