Silver

Ruthenium
See also: Silver Alloys


Silver (Ag) is a soft, white, lustrous transition metal known for its exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity—higher than any other element. It has a melting point of 961.78 °C and is highly ductile and malleable. Though it tarnishes upon exposure to air due to surface oxidation, Silver remains chemically stable in many laboratory and industrial environments. It is typically extracted from ores like argentite and refined through processes such as smelting or electrolysis.

Goodfellow's high-purity silver product line offers a comprehensive range of materials for advanced research and industrial applications. Available in forms such as insulated wire, pellets, powders, foils, and more, these silver products showcase exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity. Silver's outstanding reflectivity and antimicrobial properties make it invaluable in electronics, renewable energy, and medical industries. These materials are also crucial in the production of photovoltaic cells for solar panels, electrical contacts, and innovative medical devices. Goodfellow's silver products play a vital role in driving technological advancements, supporting cutting-edge research in areas such as flexible electronics and next-generation display technologies. Their unique combination of properties makes them essential for scientists and engineers pushing the boundaries of materials science, sustainable energy solutions, and advanced industrial processes.



General Properties

PropertyValue
Atomic Number47
Density10.49 g/cm³
Melting Point961.78 °C
Boiling Point2162 °C
Thermal Conductivity429 W/m·K
Electrical Resistivity15.87 nΩ·m
Crystal StructureFace-Centered Cubic (FCC)

Mechanical Properties

PropertyValue
Tensile Strength140–170 MPa
Yield Strength50–55 MPa
Young’s Modulus83 GPa
HardnessBrinell 24–26
Elongation at Break20–40%
Poisson’s Ratio0.37

Chemical Properties

PropertyValue
Corrosion ResistanceModerate; tarnishes in air due to surface oxidation
ReactivityUnreactive with water; reacts with sulfur compounds and nitric acid
Oxidation States+1, +2 (common)
Surface OxideForms Ag₂O and Ag₂S under ambient conditions
IdentifierValue
SymbolAg
Atomic Number47
CAS Number7440-22-4
UN NumberUN3077 (powder)
EINECS Number231-131-3
IsotopeTypeNotes
Ag-107Stable51.84% natural abundance
Ag-109Stable48.16% natural abundance

Scientific Applications

Use CaseDescription
PlasmonicsUsed in surface plasmon resonance and nanophotonics research
CatalysisSilver-based catalysts for ethylene oxide and formaldehyde production
Optical CoatingsUsed in mirrors and IR reflectors for lab instrumentation
Antibacterial ResearchSilver nanoparticles explored for antimicrobial surfaces
SuperconductivityUsed in composites and research into high-Tc superconductors

Industrial Applications

Use CaseDescription
ElectronicsUsed for conductive pastes, contacts, and circuit board finishes
PhotovoltaicsKey material in solar cell front contacts
Medical DevicesUsed in coatings for antimicrobial catheters and implants
AerospaceHigh-conductivity coatings and lubricants
PurityDescription
99.9% (3N) Commercial-grade Silver suitable for general research and industrial use
99.95% (3N5) Higher purity Silver with reduced contaminants, suitable for advanced electronics and optics
99.97% (3N7) Enhanced purity Silver with tighter impurity control for scientific and medical instrumentation
99.99% (4N) High-purity Silver for precision electronics, superconducting applications, and sensitive coatings
99.997% (4N7) Ultra-clean Silver used in vacuum electronics and photonic systems
99.999% (5N) Ultra-high purity Silver used in plasma physics, cryogenics, and high-performance nanotechnology
Synonym
Ag
Silver metal
Silver precious metal
Pure silver
Fine silver
Elemental Silver
Element 47
Argentum (Latin)
Argent (French)
Silber (German)
Plata (Spanish)