Silver
Its special characteristics - high malleability, ductility, and electrical conductivity - give silver a unique significance in the periodic table of elements. The most significant end-use for silver in terms of quantity is industrial applications. As a global leader in the precious metals industry, Heraeus utilizes silver and silver alloys in a variety of products and applications.
Through its use in jewelry and silverware, silver is one of the most well-known precious metals alongside gold. Although it is not as commonly used for this purpose anymore, because of its uniquely beautiful shine silver today still accounts for approximately 20 percent of the global total demand in jewelry and silverware.
The most significant end-use for silver in terms of quantity is industrial applications (electronic components such as switches, wires and printed circuit boards. Due to its inherent combination of ductility and electrical conductivity silver is perfectly suitable to produce micro-electronics devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. Unalloyed and alloyed plug and switch contacts, contact angles, brushes, and multi-wire grinders are primarily made from silver and are mainly used in the electronics industry. Silver is also used to produce electrodes and chip carriers. Additionally, its role in the medical sector has also become increasingly important, for example, the use of silver ions as biocide and chemical antibiotics.
As one of the world’s leading companies in the precious metal industry and being a specialist in recycling, Heraeus also offers its customers the processing of ethylene oxide catalysts containing silver.
Beyond this, silver has served as a medium of exchange and wealth storage for many centuries. However, because of its lower value, ownership of silver is widespread among a greater number of people who prefer keeping physical silver over fiat currency.
The products and applications listed above represent only a portion of the Heraeus product portfolio. For more detailed information about our complete product portfolio, services, and applications, please see the sections below.
