Sterling Silver is an alloy composed of at least 92.5% silver. The remaining 7.5% is almost always copper because, in general, other metals have proved less desirable and are less effective hardeners. Sterling silver is a good conductor of heat and electricity and has good machinability, malleability and ductility.

Typical Properties:

Composition in percent:

            Ag       92.5

            Cu       7.5

Density: 10.36 g/cm³

Liquidus temperature: 788 ^oC

Solidus temperature: 891 ^oC

Thermal expansion (20 ºC): 1.9*10^{-5 o}C^ˉ1

Specific heat capacity: 0.245 kJ/kg*K

Electrical conductivity (IACS): 96 %

Tensile strength (annealed): 207 MPa

Yield strength (annealed): 124 MPa

Elongation (annealed): 41 %

Tensile strength (wire, annealed): 283 MPa

Elongation (wire, annealed): 40 %

Hardness (wire, annealed): 71 HV

Tensile strength (wire, 1/2 hard): 386 MPa

Hardness (wire, 1/2 hard): 95 HV

Tensile strength (wire, full hard): 496 MPa

Hardness (wire, full hard): 123 HV

Tensile strength (wire, spring hard): 552 MPa

Hardness (wire, spring hard): 140 HV