KR20170033938A - Ag-Cu based alloy composition having high anti-discoloration and hardness and the manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, an Ag-Cu-based alloy composition comprises silver (Ag), copper (Cu), an anti-discoloration reinforcing element, and a hardness reinforcing element. After a long period of time elapses, an alloy original color is not changed, and high hardness can be provided. More specifically, without using high-priced jewelry such as gold, platinum, or the like, a very economical advantage can be provided.

Description

(Ag-Cu based alloy composition having high anti-discoloration and hardness and the manufacturing method thereof)

The present invention relates to an Ag-Cu-based alloy composition excellent in discoloration resistance and hardness and a method of manufacturing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an Ag- An Ag-Cu alloy composition improved in discoloration resistance and hardness at the same time, and a method for producing the same.

Gold or silver is used as the main material of jewelry such as necklace, earring or ring, and gold silver and ductility are the highest among metals and excellent in workability and have been used for money, ornaments, ornaments for a long time. However, recently, a gold alloy has been produced by adding various metals such as silver, copper and zinc to materials such as ornaments and ornaments due to a surge in gold prices, and products having reduced gold content have been produced.

That is, gold (gold) containing 14 gold (containing 58.3% Au), 12 gold (containing 50% Au), 10 gold (containing 41.7% Au), 9 gold or 8 gold Alloys are known. These alloys vary in color tone depending on the metal contained in the alloy and change in color due to progression of sulphation or oxidation over time.

On the other hand, silver (Ag) is less expensive than gold, but has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity as well as gold, and has excellent oxidation resistance at high temperatures and is used in various industrial products. In addition, silver has been widely used for silver or silver handicrafts ornaments and ornaments for a long time since its color is white.

However, when sterilized silver is used as a processing material due to its low strength and low toughness, it has a disadvantage that it is softened over time and turned black due to sulfurous acid components in the air and the like.

Accordingly, copper has been used as an alloying element of Sterling Silver containing 92.5% of silver (Ag) and 7.5% of copper (Cu) for a long time in order to increase physical properties such as hardness and toughness. (CuO or Cu ₂ O) which is oxidized to black and causes a fire-scale or a fire-stain.

Therefore, in order to eliminate such drawbacks, many other silver alloys containing various metals other than copper in order to replace copper have been proposed and a manufacturing method thereof.

Patent Document 1 discloses an alloy containing 0.1 to 2.5% of Au, 0.1 to 2.5% of Pd, 0.1 to 0.5% of In, 0.1 to 0.5% of In, To 3.0% of Cu, 0.1 to 2.0% of Cu, and 0.1 to 1.5% of Pt, with the balance being Ag.

On the other hand, the following Patent Document 2 discloses a silver alloy containing 20 to 30% of Pd, 1 to 5% of Ge, and 0.02 to 1.0% of In, and having corrosion resistance including Ag as a remainder and exhibiting health improvement effect have.

However, gold and platinum group metals are very expensive compared to silver and have a disadvantage in that their price is relatively high compared with the physical properties to be exhibited.

Therefore, many researches have been made to develop alloys having color, corrosion resistance, and discoloration resistance by excluding metals such as gold and platinum as alloying elements and adding metals which are similar to silver or less expensive than silver.

In particular, the decorative silver alloy having a discoloration resistance in Cu and Zn in addition to Co, Ni, Cd, Sn, In, Mn, Mg, Al, Si, Ge, Ga, during or by the addition of metals such as Ca air or SO ₂ atmosphere Have been studied.

On the other hand, Patent Document 3 discloses an alloy for ornaments comprising 70 to 99.9% of silver and the remainder of Cu and Ge. In Patent Document 4, similarly to Patent Document 3, Ag-Cu-Ge alloy There has been disclosed a method for producing a silver alloy in which metals such as Zn, Si, Sn and B are added to improve the physical properties such as discoloration resistance by precipitation hardening and particle refining of these alloying elements, And 4 have a problem in that their sulfide resistance and corrosion resistance are lowered after a long time, and the alloy is discolored. As a result, it is possible to maintain an excellent silver-white luster even after elapse of a long time and to exhibit excellent resistance to sulfidation, corrosion resistance, casting, And strength are required to be developed for the jewelry of ornaments excellent in strength and the like.

[Patent Literature]

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2000-226626 (Aug. 15, 2000)

Patent Document 2: JP-A-2008-303446 (Dec. 18, 2008)

Patent Document 3: JP-A-2007-195808 (2007.8.9)

Patent Document 4: International Publication No. WO2006123190 (November 23, 2006)

An object of the present invention is to provide an Ag-Cu-based alloy composition capable of maintaining an inherent alloy color for a long period of time without using expensive gold or platinum, Method.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an Ag-Cu alloy composition excellent in discoloration resistance and hardness contains silver (Ag), copper (Cu), an anti-discoloration-enhancing element and a hardness- The reinforcing element is at least one selected from the group consisting of silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), germanium (Ge), gallium (Ga), and neodymium (Nd) and is included in an amount of 1 to 3 wt% Wherein the hardness-strengthening element is at least one selected from the group consisting of manganese (Mn), tin (Sn), indium (In) and boron (B) and is contained in an amount of 0.05 to 2% The silver may be included in an amount of 92.5 to 97.5% by weight based on 100% by weight of the total composition.

In an Ag-Cu alloy composition excellent in discoloration resistance and hardness according to another embodiment of the present invention, copper (Cu) may be contained in an amount of 0.5 to 3% by weight based on 100% by weight of the total composition.

The method for producing an Ag-Cu-based alloy excellent in resistance to discoloration and hardness according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: heating silver (Ag) to provide molten silver (Ag); Melting the discoloration-enhancing element with copper (Cu) and then annealing to produce a first copper-moly alloy; Melting the hardness-strengthening element together with copper (Cu) and annealing to produce a second copper-moly alloy; Adding the first copper-moly alloy and the second copper-moly alloy to the molten silver (Ag) and heating to provide an alloy melt; And annealing the alloy melt, wherein the discoloration-enhancing element is selected from the group consisting of silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), germanium (Ge), gallium (Ga), and neodymium (Nd) One or more selected from the group consisting of manganese (Mn), tin (Sn), indium (In), and boron (B) in an amount of 1 to 3 wt.% Based on 100 wt.% Of the total alloy melt. One or more selected and may be included in an amount of 0.05 to 2% by weight based on 100% by weight of the total composition.

In the method for producing an Ag-Cu-based alloy excellent in resistance to discoloration and hardness according to another embodiment of the present invention, the copper and the discoloration-enhancing element contained in the first copper- May be included in a weight ratio of 0.5: 1 to 1: 1.

In the method for producing an Ag-Cu-based alloy excellent in resistance to discoloration and hardness according to another embodiment of the present invention, the copper and hardness-strengthening elements contained in the second copper- 2 to 3: 0.05.

The Ag-Cu-based alloy composition according to the present invention has an excellent effect that the inherent color of the alloy does not change even after a long period of time and has a high hardness. Especially, since expensive noble metal such as gold or platinum is not used, .

Fig. 1 is a photograph showing the result of testing the discoloration resistance of 99.99% of pure silver (the numbers are elapsed time).
Fig. 2 is a photograph showing the results of testing the discoloration resistance of Sterling Silver (silver: 92.5% and copper: 7.5%) (the numbers are elapsed time).
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results of (A): Example 1, (B): Example 21, (C): Example 41, D): Example 61) (the numbers below are elapsed time).
4 is a photograph showing a vacuum high-frequency melting furnace used in a method for producing an alloy according to the present invention.

Before describing the invention in more detail, it is to be understood that the words or words used in the present specification and claims are not to be construed in a conventional or dictionary sense, It should be interpreted as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention. Therefore, the constitution of the embodiments described in the present specification is merely a preferred example of the present invention, and does not represent all the technical ideas of the present invention, so that various equivalents and variations And the like.

The present invention relates to an Ag-Cu alloy composition excellent in discoloration resistance and hardness and a method for producing the same.

The Ag-Cu-based alloy composition having excellent resistance to discoloration and hardness according to an embodiment of the present invention is basically composed of silver (Ag) and copper (Cu), but is characterized in that the content of copper is drastically lowered than that of silver have. That is, the alloy composition of the present invention contains an amount of copper which is much smaller than the content of copper contained in general Stirling silver, and instead of the amount of copper contained in common Stirling silver, the discoloration-enhancing element and the hardening- .

The color discoloration enhancing element may be selected from the group consisting of silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), germanium (Ge), gallium (Ga), and neodymium (Nd). It is possible that each of the above-described elements is separately contained in the alloy or included in a combination of these elements. By adding such an anti-discoloration strengthening element, it is possible to maintain the inherent color of the alloy even if the alloy manufactured using the alloy composition according to the present invention is exposed to the air for a long time.

In addition, it is preferable that the color discoloration-enhancing element is included in an amount of 1 to 3% by weight based on 100% by weight of the total alloy composition.

That is, when the content of the color-resistant and strengthening element is less than 1% by weight, the effect of preventing the surface of the alloy produced by using the alloy composition of the present invention from being discolored with time is insufficient, There is a problem that the hardness of the alloy is lowered and the inherent physical properties of the silver alloy are deteriorated.

The hardness-strengthening element may be selected from the group consisting of manganese (Mn), tin (Sn), indium (In), and boron (B) It is possible that each of the above-mentioned hardness-strengthening elements is separately contained in the alloy or included as a combination of these elements. By adding such hardness-strengthening elements, the hardness of the alloy produced using the alloy composition according to the present invention can be remarkably improved.

The hardness-strengthening element is preferably contained in an amount of 0.05 to 2% by weight based on 100% by weight of the total composition.

That is, when the content of the hardness-strengthening element is less than 0.05% by weight, the hardness of the alloy produced using the alloy composition of the present invention is lowered. When the content is more than 2% by weight, the amount of the discoloration-enhancing element and silver is limited There is a problem that the discoloration resistance of the alloy is lowered and the inherent physical properties of the silver alloy are lowered.

The silver included in the alloy composition of the present invention is included at a minimum of 92.5% by weight, and not exceeding a maximum of 97.5% by weight.

When the content of silver included in the alloy composition of the present invention is less than 92.5% by weight, there is a problem that ductility and workability are lowered when preparing ornaments and the like by using silver. When the content exceeds 97.5% by weight, The addition amount of the strengthening element and the hardness strengthening element is limited, so that there arises a problem that it is difficult to achieve the object of strengthening resistance to discoloration and hardening of hardness to be achieved by the present invention. That is, when the content of silver is too large, the alloy produced by using the silver is too soft, and the durability of the ornaments and the like produced by processing the alloy becomes low.

It is preferable that the alloy composition used in the present invention usually contains a silver content to the extent that it is contained in the Sterling silver, that is, about 92.5% by weight of silver.

The copper contained in the alloy composition of the present invention is preferably contained in an amount of 0.5 to 3% by weight based on 100% by weight of the total composition.

In general, silver stearing silver contains 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of copper. However, when the ornaments or the like are manufactured using such a sterling silver, there is a problem that the color of the ornament is inherently changed, The hardness of such a sterling silver is insufficient to attain the desired durability of the ornaments which should not be deformed in shape for a long time. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the copper content while maintaining the silver content as in the case of the stirling silver. However, since copper exhibits a function of improving the workability by imparting inherent ductility to the alloy while forming silver and an alloy, it is preferable that the minimum content is included to maintain such workability.

Accordingly, the copper contained in the alloy of the present invention is contained in an amount of 0.5 to 3% by weight based on 100% by weight of the total composition.

That is, when the content of copper is less than 0.5% by weight, there is a problem that the workability due to the alloying of silver and copper is lowered. When the content is more than 3% by weight, the discoloration resistance of the alloy is significantly lowered, The addition amount of the alloy is limited and the hardness of the alloy is remarkably lowered.

Hereinafter, a method for producing a silver-copper-based alloy having excellent discoloration resistance and hardness will be described in detail using the composition of the present invention.

First, the solid state silver is heated to a melting point of 962 ° C or higher of silver to prepare a molten state of silver.

On the other hand, the inner discoloration-enhancing element and the hardness-strengthening element respectively form a parent alloy with copper and then add it to the melted silver.

That is, the above-mentioned discoloration-enhancing element or the hardness-strengthening element and the copper are melted at a predetermined ratio, respectively, and annealed to produce the parent alloy. In this way, in the step of producing the parent alloy, The composition ratio of element and copper is controlled. In this way, it is possible to control the components of the entire alloy composition in various ways in an easy way by controlling the component ratios of the elements contained in the parent alloys in the parent alloy manufacturing step.

On the other hand, when the mother alloy is added to molten silver, these components are melted together under a vacuum or an argon atmosphere.

In the case of melting in a vacuum or argon atmosphere as described above, there is an advantage that the elements included in the alloy can be uniformly distributed throughout the alloy.

Further, such a melting process is performed in a high-frequency melting furnace. That is, there is an advantage that the uniformity of the alloy can be maximized by performing the alloying process in the high-frequency melting furnace.

On the other hand, the alloy composition is produced in a shape corresponding to the shape of the graphite crucible located inside the high-frequency melting furnace.

The melting process is carried out for about 5 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, the graphite crucible may be replaced with various other molds as needed.

Thereafter, the molten alloy melted by the high-frequency melting furnace in the graphite crucible was rapidly quenched in the crucible to room temperature in a vacuum or argon atmosphere, and then the temperature was raised to 200 to 400 ° C at a rate of about 50 ° C / To < RTI ID = 0.0 > 60 < / RTI >

The alloy thus produced can be first processed into various shapes. That is, for example, it is possible to produce an alloy sheet of a predetermined standard by cold rolling the sheet into a plate having a uniform thickness, and it is possible to manufacture various ornaments using various kinds of alloy sheet materials manufactured in this manner.

Hereinafter, the Ag-Cu alloy composition excellent in discoloration resistance and hardness according to the present invention, various specific examples of the production method thereof, and various comparative examples in which the effects of the present invention can be clearly compared and confirmed will be described.

≪ Examples 1 to 20 &

As shown in the following Table 1, the alloy compositions of Examples 1 to 20 according to the present invention were prepared for 92.5 g of silver and 2.5 g of copper according to respective component ratios (the units of each component Is gram (g).

92.5 g of Ag and 2.5 g of Cu Si Al Ge Ga Nd Mn Sn In B VH Ts CR Example 1 3.0 - - - - 2.0 - - - 120 380 One Example 2 - 3.0 - - - 2.0 - - 108 370 One Example 3 - - 3.0 - - - - 2.0 - 110 365 One Example 4 - - - 3.0 - - - - 2.0 98 370 One Example 5 - - - - 3.0 - - - 2.0 110 374 One Example 6 2.0 1.0 - - - 2.0 - - - 100 365 One Example 7 1.0 2.0 - - - - 2.0 - - 110 366 One Example 8 1.0 - 2.0 - - - - 2.0 - 105 382 One Example 9 - 1.0 - 2.0 - - - - 2.0 110 348 One Example 10 - - 1.0 - 2.0 - - 2.0 - 105 365 One Example 11 3.0 - - - - 1.0 1.0 - - 105 370 One Example 12 - 3.0 - - - - 1.0 1.0 - 110 368 One Example 13 - - 3.0 - - - - 1.0 1.0 98 381 One Example 14 - - - 3.0 - 1.0 - - 1.0 95 374 One Example 15 - - - - 3.0 - 1.0 - 1.0 98 365 One Example 16 1.0 1.0 1.0 - - 1.0 1.0 - - 102 354 One Example 17 - 1.0 1.0 1.0 - 1.0 - 1.0 - 106 362 One Example 18 - - 1.0 1.0 1.0 - 1.0 1.0 - 99 380 One Example 19 - 1.0 - 1.0 1.0 1.0 - 1.0 - 100 377 One Example 20 1.0 1.0 - 1.0 - - 1.0 - 1.0 115 360 One

≪ Examples 21 to 40 >

As shown in the following Table 2, the alloy compositions of Examples 21 to 40 according to the present invention were prepared for 95.0 g of silver and 2.5 g of copper according to respective component ratios.

95.0 g of Ag and 2.5 g of Cu Si Al Ge Ga Nd Mn Sn In B VH Ts CR Example 21 1.5 - - - - 1.0 - - - 110 360 One Example 22 - 1.5 - - - 1.0 - - 115 355 One Example 23 - - 1.5 - - - - 1.0 - 120 360 One Example 24 - - - 1.5 - - - - 1.0 98 345 One Example 25 - - - - 1.5 - - - 1.0 110 366 One Example 26 1.0 0.5 - - - 1.0 - - - 112 357 One Example 27 1.0 0.5 - - - - 1.0 - - 114 380 One Example 28 1.0 - 0.5 - - - - 1.0 - 105 366 One Example 29 - 0.5 - 1.0 - - - - 1.0 108 362 One Example 30 - - 0.5 - 1.0 - - 1.0 - 99 351 One Example 31 1.0 - - - - 1.0 0.5 - - 110 354 One Example 32 - 1.0 - - - - 1.0 0.5 - 100 346 One Example 33 - - 1.0 - - - - 0.5 1.0 103 348 One Example 34 - - - 1.0 - 0.5 - - 1.0 107 369 One Example 35 - - - - 1.0 - 1.0 - 0.5 116 378 One Example 36 0.5 0.5 0.5 - - 0.5 0.5 - - 120 362 One Example 37 - 1.0 - - - 1.0 - 0.5 - 99 366 One Example 38 - - 0.5 0.5 - - 1.0 0.5 - 98 352 One Example 39 - 1.0 - 0.5 - - - 1.0 - 115 374 One Example 40 - - 1.0 0.5 - - 0.5 - 0.5 120 358 One

≪ Examples 41 to 60 >

As shown in the following Table 3, the alloy compositions of Examples 41 to 60 according to the present invention were prepared for 97.5 g of silver and 0.5 g of copper according to respective component ratios.

97.5 g of Ag and 0.5 g of Cu Si Al Ge Ga Nd Mn Sn In B VH Ts CR Example 41 1.0 - - - - 1.0 - - - 114 354 One Example 42 - 1.0 - - - 1.0 - - 120 360 One Example 43 - - 1.0 - - - - 1.0 - 104 378 One Example 44 - - - 1.0 - - - - 1.0 97 355 One Example 45 - - - - 1.0 - - - 1.0 110 341 One Example 46 0.5 0.5 - - - 1.0 - - - 120 342 One Example 47 0.5 0.5 - - - - 1.0 - - 118 362 One Example 48 0.5 - 0.5 - - - - 1.0 - 106 347 One Example 49 - 0.5 - 0.5 - - - - 1.0 107 358 One Example 50 - - 0.5 - 0.5 - - 1.0 - 108 352 One Example 51 1.0 - - - - 0.5 0.5 - - 120 365 One Example 52 - 1.0 - - - - 0.5 0.5 - 113 359 One Example 53 - - 1.0 - - - - 0.5 0.5 96 348 One Example 54 - - - 1.0 - 0.5 - - 0.5 97 359 One Example 55 - - - - 1.0 - 0.5 - 0.5 89 367 One Example 56 0.5 0.5 - - - 0.5 0.5 - - 98 358 One Example 57 - 1.0 - - - 0.5 - 0.5 - 110 354 One Example 58 - - 0.5 0.5 - - 0.5 0.5 - 114 351 One Example 59 - 0.5 - 0.5 - - - 1.0 - 100 352 One Example 60 - - 0.5 0.5 - - 0.5 - 0.5 102 359 One

≪ Examples 61 to 80 >

As shown in the following Table 4, the alloy compositions of Examples 61 to 80 according to the present invention were prepared for 95.0 g of silver and 2.0 g of copper according to respective component ratios.

95.0 g of Ag and 2.0 g of Cu Si Al Ge Ga Nd Mn Sn In B VH Ts CR Example 61 2.95 - - - - 0.05 - - - 98 350 One Example 62 - 2.95 - - - - 0.05 - - 115 354 One Example 63 - - 2.95 - - - - 0.05 - 114 356 One Example 64 - - - 2.95 - - - - 0.05 102 365 One Example 65 - - - - 2.95 - - - 0.05 103 371 One Example 66 1.95 1.0 - - - 0.05 - - - 96 359 One Example 67 1.0 1.95 - - - - 0.05 - - 98 358 One Example 68 1.0 1.0 0.95 - - - - 0.05 - 110 354 One Example 69 - 0.95 1.0 1.0 - - - - 0.05 120 356 One Example 70 - 1.0 1.0 - 0.95 - - 0.05 - 114 352 One Example 71 1.0 - - - - 1.5 0.5 - - 105 351 One Example 72 - 1.0 - - - - 0.5 1.5 - 108 358 One Example 73 - - 1.0 - - - - 1.5 0.5 117 359 One Example 74 - - - 1.0 - 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 116 357 One Example 75 - - - - 1.0 - 1.5 - 0.5 120 351 One Example 76 0.5 0.5 - - - 1.5 0.5 - - 99 364 One Example 77 1.0 - - - - 0.5 - 1.5 - 96 371 One Example 78 - - 0.5 0.5 - - 2.0 - 97 380 One Example 79 - 1.0 - - - - - 2.0 - 110 356 One Example 80 - - 1.0 - - - - - 2.0 109 377 One

≪ Comparative Examples 1 to 16 >

As shown in the following Table 5, for 92.5 g of silver and 2.5 g of copper, the alloy compositions of Comparative Examples 1 to 16 were prepared according to their respective component ratios.

92.5 g of Ag and 2.5 g of Cu Si Al Ge Ga Nd Mn Sn In B VH Ts CR Comparative Example 1 5.0 - - - - - - - - 55 170 One Comparative Example 2 - 5.0 - - - - - - - 65 250 2 Comparative Example 3 - - 5.0 - - - - - - 70 241 2 Comparative Example 4 - - - 5.0 - - - - - 81 241 One Comparative Example 5 - - - - 5.0 - - - - 65 251 One Comparative Example 6 - - - - - 5.0 - - - 94 240 4 Comparative Example 7 - - - - - - 5.0 - - 95 235 5 Comparative Example 8 - - - - - - - 5.0 - 93 220 4 Comparative Example 9 - - - - - - - - 5.0 89 215 4 Comparative Example 10 2.5 2.5 - - - - - - - 54 201 2 Comparative Example 11 2.5 2.5 - - - - - - 55 189 One Comparative Example 12 - - 2.5 2.5 - - - - - 65 188 2 Comparative Example 13 - - - 2.5 2.5 - - - - 68 160 One Comparative Example 14 - - - - - 2.5 2.5 - - 98 220 4 Comparative Example 15 - - - - - - 2.5 2.5 - 96 198 5 Comparative Example 16 - - - - - - - 2.5 2.5 89 210 4

≪ Comparative Examples 17 to 32 >

As shown in Table 6 below, the alloy compositions of Comparative Examples 17 to 32 were prepared for 95.0 g of silver and 2.5 g of copper, depending on the ratio of each component.

95.0 g of Ag and 2.5 g of Cu Si Al Ge Ga Nd Mn Sn In B VH Ts CR Comparative Example 17 2.5 - - - - - - - - 58 199 2 Comparative Example 18 - 2.5 - - - - - - - 70 201 One Comparative Example 19 - - 2.5 - - - - - - 81 215 2 Comparative Example 20 - - - 2.5 - - - - - 65 220 2 Comparative Example 21 - - - - 2.5 - - - - 64 245 One Comparative Example 22 - - - - - 2.5 - - - 90 241 4 Comparative Example 23 - - - - - - 2.5 - - 96 220 5 Comparative Example 24 - - - - - - - 2.5 - 97 213 5 Comparative Example 25 - - - - - - - 2.5 95 206 4 Comparative Example 26 1.5 1.0 - - - - - - - 81 205 2 Comparative Example 27 - 1.5 1.0 - - - - - - 56 210 One Comparative Example 28 - - 1.5 1.0 - - - - - 71 235 One Comparative Example 29 - - - 1.5 1.0 - - - - 54 241 2 Comparative Example 30 - - - - - 1.5 1.0 - - 90 230 4 Comparative Example 31 - - - - - - 1.5 1.0 - 92 220 5 Comparative Example 32 - - - - - - - 1.5 1.0 89 215 5

≪ Comparative Examples 33 to 48 >

As shown in the following Table 7, the alloy compositions of Comparative Examples 33 to 48 were prepared for 97.5 g of silver and 0.5 g of copper according to the proportions of the respective components.

97.5 g of Ag and 0.5 g of Cu Si Al Ge Ga Nd Mn Sn In B VH Ts CR Comparative Example 33 2.0 - - - - - - - - 56 230 One Comparative Example 34 - 2.0 - - - - - - - 65 254 2 Comparative Example 35 - - 2.0 - - - - - - 61 241 One Comparative Example 36 - - - 2.0 - - - - - 62 231 2 Comparative Example 37 - - - - 2.0 - - - - 59 251 One Comparative Example 38 - - - - 2.0 - - - 89 235 4 Comparative Example 39 - - - - - - 2.0 - - 90 253 4 Comparative Example 40 - - - - - - - 2.0 - 92 241 5 Comparative Example 41 - - - - - - - - 2.0 93 235 4 Comparative Example 42 1.0 1.0 - - - - - - - 64 241 2 Comparative Example 43 - 1.0 1.0 - - - - - - 66 235 One Comparative Example 44 - - 1.0 1.0 - - - - - 62 236 One Comparative Example 45 - - - 1.0 1.0 - - - - 61 245 2 Comparative Example 46 - - - - - 1.0 1.0 - - 90 244 4 Comparative Example 47 - - - - - - 1.0 1.0 - 89 233 4 Comparative Example 48 - - - - - - - 1.0 1.0 95 254 5

≪ Comparative Examples 49 to 64 >

As shown in the following Table 8, the alloy compositions of Comparative Examples 49 to 64 were prepared for 95.0 g of silver and 2.0 g of copper according to the ratio of each component.

95.0 g of Ag and 2.0 g of Cu Si Al Ge Ga Nd Mn Sn In B VH Ts CR Comparative Example 49 3.0 - - - - - - - - 64 241 2 Comparative Example 50 - 3.0 - - - - - - - 66 245 One Comparative Example 51 - - 3.0 - - - - - - 67 246 2 Comparative Example 52 - - - 3.0 - - - - - 61 236 One Comparative Example 53 - - - - 3.0 - - - - 58 254 One Comparative Example 54 - - - - - 3.0 - - - 90 236 4 Comparative Example 55 - - - - - - 3.0 - - 92 234 4 Comparative Example 56 - - - - - - - 3.0 - 93 256 4 Comparative Example 57 - - - - - - - - 3.0 94 255 5 Comparative Example 58 1.5 1.5 - - - - - - 62 242 One Comparative Example 59 - 1.5 1.5 - - - - - - 61 252 One Comparative Example 60 - - 1.5 1.5 - - - - - 63 253 2 Comparative Example 61 - - - 1.5 1.5 - - - - 61 261 2 Comparative Example 62 - - - - - 1.5 1.5 - - 93 254 4 Comparative Example 63 - - - - - - 1.5 1.5 - 92 233 5 Comparative Example 64 - - - - - - - 1.5 1.5 94 231 4

≪ Comparative Examples 65 to 84 >

As shown in the following Table 9, for 92.5 g of silver and 2.5 g of copper, an alloy composition of Comparative Examples 65 to 84 was prepared according to the ratio of each component.

92.5 g of Ag and 2.5 g of Cu Si Al Ge Ga Nd Mn Sn In B VH Ts CR Comparative Example 65 0.5 - - - - 4.5 - - - 78 235 3 Comparative Example 66 - 0.5 - - - 4.5 - - 84 241 3 Comparative Example 67 - - 0.5 - - - - 4.5 - 81 236 3 Comparative Example 68 - - - 0.5 - - - - 4.5 82 254 2 Comparative Example 69 - - - - 0.5 - - - 4.5 83 243 3 Comparative Example 70 4.0 - - - 1.0 - - - 82 254 3 Comparative Example 71 - 4.0 - - - - 1.0 - - 78 236 4 Comparative Example 72 - - 4.0 - - - - 1.0 - 78 254 4 Comparative Example 73 - - - 4.0 - - - - 1.0 78 253 4 Comparative Example 74 - - 2.0 - 2.0 - - 1.0 - 79 251 3 Comparative Example 75 3.0 1.0 - - - 1.0 - - - 81 233 3 Comparative Example 76 - 3.0 - 1.0 - - - 1.0 - 80 231 3 Comparative Example 77 1.0 - 3.0 - - - - 1.0 - 78 251 4 Comparative Example 78 - 1.0 - 3.0 - 1.0 - - - 76 254 3 Comparative Example 79 - - 1.0 - 3.0 - - - 1.0 78 241 4 Comparative Example 80 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 - - 1.0 - - 78 231 4 Comparative Example 81 - 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 - - 1.0 - 76 235 3 Comparative Example 82 1.0 - 1.0 1.0 1.0 - - 1.0 - 74 254 4 Comparative Example 83 1.0 1.0 - 1.0 1.0 1.0 - - - 73 215 4 Comparative Example 84 1.0 1.0 1.0 - 1.0 - 1.0 - - 74 233 4

≪ Comparative Examples 85 to 94 >

As shown in Table 10 below, the alloy compositions of Comparative Examples 85 to 94 were prepared for 95.0 g of silver and 2.5 g of copper, depending on the proportions of the respective components.

95.0 g of Ag and 2.5 g of Cu Si Al Ge Ga Nd Mn Sn In B VH Ts CR Comparative Example 85 0.4 - - - - 2.1 - - - 77 254 3 Comparative Example 86 - 0.4 - - - 2.1 - - 75 235 4 Comparative Example 87 - - 0.4 - - - - 2.1 - 76 251 4 Comparative Example 88 - - - 0.4 - - - - 2.1 71 244 3 Comparative Example 89 - - - - 0.4 - - - 2.1 72 255 4 Comparative Example 90 1.0 0.6 - - - 0.9 - - - 73 253 3 Comparative Example 91 1.0 0.6 - - - - 0.9 - - 72 253 4 Comparative Example 92 1.6 - - - - - - 0.9 - 78 251 4 Comparative Example 93 - 0.6 - 1.0 - - - - 0.9 81 255 3 Comparative Example 94 - - 0.6 - 1.0 - - 0.9 - 78 256 3

≪ Comparative Examples 95 to 104 >

As shown in the following Table 11, the alloy compositions of Comparative Examples 95 to 104 were prepared for 97.5 g of silver and 0.5 g of copper, depending on the proportions of the respective components.

97.5 g of Ag and 0.5 g of Cu Si Al Ge Ga Nd Mn Sn In B VH Ts CR Comparative Example 95 0.9 - - - - 1.1 - - - 74 252 3 Comparative Example 96 0.7 - - - 1.3 - - 74 251 4 Comparative Example 97 - 0.9 - - - 1.1 - - 75 250 4 Comparative Example 98 - 0.8 - - - 1.2 - - - 78 241 3 Comparative Example 99 - - - - 0.9 1.1 - - - 74 235 3 Comparative Example 100 0.5 0.4 - - - - 1.1 - - 76 254 3 Comparative Example 101 0.5 0.4 - - - 1.1 - - 78 236 4 Comparative Example 102 0.4 - 0.4 - - - - 1.2 - 74 241 4 Comparative Example 103 - 0.3 - 0.5 - - - - 1.2 73 244 3 Comparative Example 104 - - 0.5 - 0.2 - - 1.3 - 74 239 4

≪ Comparative Examples 105 to 124 >

As shown in the following Table 12, the alloy compositions of Comparative Examples 105 to 124 were prepared for 95.0 g of silver and 2.0 g of copper according to the proportions of the respective components.

95.0 g of Ag and 2.0 g of Cu Si Al Ge Ga Nd Mn Sn In B VH Ts CR Comparative Example 105 0.9 - - - - 2.1 - - - 81 241 3 Comparative Example 106 0.7 - - - - 2.3 - - 78 251 4 Comparative Example 107 - 0.9 - - - 2.1 - - - 75 245 4 Comparative Example 108 - 0.7 - - - 2.3 - - - 76 256 3 Comparative Example 109 - - 0.9 - - - 2.1 - - 77 253 4 Comparative Example 110 - - 0.7 - - - 2.3 - - 78 254 4 Comparative Example 111 - - - 0.9 - - 2.1 - - 76 251 4 Comparative Example 112 - - - 0.7 - - 2.3 - - 79 245 3 Comparative Example 113 - - - - 0.9 - - 2.1 - 81 251 4 Comparative Example 114 - - - - 0.7 - - 2.3 - 75 235 4 Comparative Example 115 0.9 - - - - 2.1 - - - 69 251 3 Comparative Example 116 - 0.5 0.4 - - 2.1 - - - 71 253 4 Comparative Example 117 - - 0.8 - - - - 2.2 - 68 251 4 Comparative Example 118 - - - 0.7 - 2.3 - - 71 245 3 Comparative Example 119 - - - - 0.9 - 2.1 - - 74 245 4 Comparative Example 120 0.5 0.4 - - - 2.1 - - - 76 241 4 Comparative Example 121 0.8 - - - - 2.2 - 1.5 - 73 253 3 Comparative Example 122 - - 0.5 0.3 - - 1.1 1.1 - 77 233 4 Comparative Example 123 - 0.9 - - - - - 2.1 - 78 254 3 Comparative Example 124 - - 0.9 - - - - - 2.1 79 251 3

[Manufacture of alloy samples]

A disk-shaped alloy sample having a diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 2 mm was prepared using the alloy compositions according to Examples 1 to 80 and Comparative Examples 1 to 124.

[Biscus Hardness Test]

Hardness (VH) was measured according to ASTM D2230 by using a disc-shaped alloy sample having a diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 2 mm, which was prepared using the alloy composition according to Examples 1 to 80 and Comparative Examples 1 to 124, The results are shown in Tables 1 to 12 above.

[Tensile strength test]

The tensile strength (Ts) was measured according to ASTM E1450 using a disk-shaped alloy sample having a diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 2 mm, which was prepared using the alloy composition according to Examples 1 to 80 and Comparative Examples 1 to 124 Unit: MPa), and the results are shown in Tables 1 to 12 above.

[My discoloration test]

Disc-shaped alloy samples of 20 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness prepared using the alloy compositions according to Examples 1 to 80 and Comparative Examples 1 to 124 were each impregnated with thioacetamide (C ₂ H ₅ NS) A saturated solution of acetate-trihydrate (CH ₃ COONa · 3H ₂ O) in a beaker was placed in a sealed container. A screen mesh was placed on the top of the beaker. The surface of the silver alloy specimen was polished The discoloration resistance (CR) was measured visually by dividing into 1 to 5 grades according to the degree of discoloration at the elapsed time of 107 hours (1 Grade: excellent in discoloration resistance, grade 2: excellent in discoloration resistance, grade 3: slight discoloration occurred, grade 4: discoloration progressed somewhat, grade 5: discoloration was severe), and the results are shown in Tables 1 to 12 Appear It was.

The alloys prepared using the alloy compositions of Examples 1 to 80 according to the present invention showed the hardness, tensile strength, and elongation at break of the alloys prepared using the alloy compositions of Comparative Examples 1 to 124, Strength, and discoloration resistance are both excellent.

On the other hand, FIG. 1 is a photograph showing the result of testing the discoloration resistance of 99.99% pure silver by the above test method (the numbers in the lower part of the figure are elapsed time), and it can be confirmed that the discoloration is seriously changed with time.

Fig. 2 is a photograph showing the result of testing discoloration resistance in the same manner with respect to Sterling Silver (silver: 92.5% and copper: 7.5%) (the numbers below show the elapsed time) Can be confirmed.

(A): Example 1 (B): Example 21, (C): Example 41 (B): Example 21 (C) , (D): Example 61) (the numbers shown below represent elapsed time), and it can be confirmed that almost no discoloration occurs with the lapse of time.

Claims (5)

Silver (Ag), copper (Cu), an anti-discoloration strengthening element, and a hardness strengthening element,
Wherein the color discoloration enhancing element is at least one selected from the group consisting of silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), germanium (Ge), gallium (Ga), and neodymium (Nd) % ≪ / RTI >
The hardness-strengthening element is at least one selected from the group consisting of manganese (Mn), tin (Sn), indium (In) and boron (B) and is contained in an amount of 0.05 to 2%
Wherein the silver is 92.5 to 97.5% by weight based on 100% by weight of the total composition, and is excellent in discoloration resistance and hardness. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the copper (Cu) is contained in an amount of 0.5 to 3% by weight based on 100% by weight of the total composition, and is excellent in discoloration resistance and hardness. Heating silver (Ag) to provide molten silver (Ag);
Melting the discoloration-enhancing element with copper (Cu) and then annealing to produce a first copper-moly alloy;
Melting the hardness-strengthening element together with copper (Cu) and annealing to produce a second copper-moly alloy;
Adding the first copper-moly alloy and the second copper-moly alloy to the molten silver (Ag) and heating to provide an alloy melt; And
And annealing the alloy melt,
Wherein the discoloration-enhancing element is at least one selected from the group consisting of silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), germanium (Ge), gallium (Ga), and neodymium (Nd) 3% by weight,
Wherein the hardness-strengthening element is at least one selected from the group consisting of manganese (Mn), tin (Sn), indium (In) and boron (B) And an Ag-Cu-based alloy excellent in hardness. The method of claim 3,
The copper and the discoloration-enhancing element contained in the first copper-moly alloy may be a Ag-Cu-based alloy having excellent discoloration resistance and hardness and containing copper: a discoloration-enhancing element in a weight ratio of 0.5: 1 to 1: Gt; The method of claim 3,
Wherein the copper and hardness-strengthening elements contained in the second copper-based alloy are comprised of copper: hardness-strengthening elements in a weight ratio of 0.5: 2 to 3: 0.05.

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