Antimicrobial silver electroplating is advantageous to manufacturers that rely on the production of sterile equipment, principally for those in the medical and food industries. Silver electroplating, or silver plating as it’s commonly referred to, is a finishing process in which a thin layer of silver ions (Ag+) is deposited onto a substrate of a metal through electrolysis.
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In manufacturing, electrolysis is a technique that involves combining an electrolyte solution with silver ions and subjecting it to a direct electric current to produce a chemical reaction that forms a thin, durable layer of silver that adheres to the surface of the metal material. The process can be applied to numerous metal substrates—stainless steel, aluminum, copper, bronze, steel, and others—to enhance the mechanical properties of the material.
Silver electroplating, on an industrial scale, was developed in the mid-nineteenth century. From cutlery to jewelry it was found that electroplating silver onto a material could improve its appearance, its corrosion resistance, and affordability. Today, many industries like aerospace, automotive, electronics, and telecommunications benefit from employing the process for more than its aesthetic or decorative, lustrous appearance. For example, in the aerospace industry, silver plating provides the high conductivity, solderability, and heat and friction resistance required of many parts and components used in turbine engines, gears in rotorcraft, fasteners, and electrical connectors for aircraft.
More than for its appearance, corrosion resistance, or conductivity, the enhancement of antimicrobial and antibacterial propertiesby silver plating material makes it ideal for applications in industries that require sterile tools and equipment.
The food and beverage industry, particularly the hospitality sector, relies on silver electroplating to increase the service life, durability, aesthetic appeal, and sterility of much of the equipment that the industry relies on. Flatware—the forks, spoons, and serving pieces—and cutlery, along with kitchen utensils, appliances, pots and pans, trays, and even sink taps are but a few examples of how electroplating services the equipment used in hotels, conference centers, and venues, restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, and catering companies around the world. Flatware and kitchen appliances that undergo silver electroplating improve the corrosion resistance, durability, and polished appearance of the equipment, but it also ensures that the spoons, forks, knives, and serving pieces used are free of bacteria and harmful organisms.
Silver electroplating is also used in the manufacturing of numerous parts and components in a broad range of medical devices and equipment. Electrical components like connectors, battery contacts, contact pins or springs, switches, bus bars, radio frequency (RF) coils and amplifiers, and RF ablation devices are types of medical devices that commonly undergo silver electroplating processes to help ensure sterility. The electroplating process is also used for wearable medical devices like heart monitors, infant monitors, insulin pumps, glucose monitors, and pain management devices. It’s used in handheld instruments like stethoscopes and forceps, and in imaging devices like endoscopic and arthroscopic tools and scanners, medical lasers, and MRI machines.
Silver electroplatingis one way to utilize the benefits of silver’s natural antimicrobial properties. During the electrochemical process, the antimicrobial properties can be leveraged in various applications, specifically, medical devices and equipment, and food processing equipment and utensils. Here are 5 ways that the medical and food industries benefit from silver electroplating:
Silver, with its strong antimicrobial properties, promotes the exclusion of bacteria and other microorganisms from the surface of materials treated with silver plate. Once treated, the metal can inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This makes silver-plated medical devices useful in preventing infections and reducing the risk of bacterial, fungal, or viral contamination, as well as keeping surfaces where food is prepared or served free of bacteria.
The presence of silver on the surface can significantly reduce microbial growth. This is particularly important in environments where hygiene is crucial, such as in healthcare settings or food service, where the spread of viruses or infections is a concern.
Silver electroplating surfaces contribute to the creation of hygienic surfaces, particularly in places like hospitals, labs, and kitchens where cleanliness is crucial. This is why silver plating is often used for treating medical instruments, food preparation surfaces, and other settings where microbial contamination is a concern.
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Materials treated with antimicrobial silver properties are durable and long-lasting. Unlike some antimicrobial agent applications, silver ions do not lose their effectiveness over time and will continue to inhibit microbial growth as long as the silver layer remains intact.
Silver electroplating medical devices and implants help reduce the risk of infections associated with these devices. Forceps, catheters, pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators, and other medical devices treated with silver ions can provide an additional layer of protection against microbial infection risks.
In the metal plating industry, silver does not necessarily mean second place. Silver is a nearly white colored semi-precious alloy that has many benefits when it comes to metal finishing. For one, silver plating offers excellent electrical conductivity. In addition, Silver is also the best heat conductor of all metal plating materials. Due to these benefits, plus a more reasonable cost compared to gold or platinum, silver is an excellent choice for many different plating jobs.
The atoms of metal elements are characterized by the presence of valence electrons. These electrons allow metal to conduct an electric current. The most effective conductors of electricity are metals that have a single valence electron. This electron is free to move around with little resistance. Metals like silver and copper are a few of the metals with this particular characteristic and that is why they are great electric conductors. Silver is the most conductive of all metals which makes it a very valuable metal for plating and finishing. For example, the microwave and satellite industries use silver to reduce heat and to carry high frequency signals.
Heat can only be transferred through three means: conduction, convection and radiation. Of these, conduction is perhaps the most common, and occurs regularly in nature. In short, it is the transfer of heat through physical contact. The properties that make silver a great electric conductor also make the metal and excellent heat conductor. As stated above the atoms in silver are allowed to move through the metal freely without much resistance. Silvers high temperature resistance allows it to be used in the manufacturing of automobile and jet engines.
Take a look at the graph below to compare silver’s conductivity against other metals:
(Chart by: http://www.tibtech.com/conductivity.php)
Because of the amazing properties of silver, this metal can be very useful depending on your metal plating needs. In addition, it is a cost effective solution to using gold or platinum. At American Plating Company, we specialize in silver plating and have done so for many years. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding silver plating or any other finish for that matter:
American Plating Company
Quality Since
Park Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri
: 314-776-
Fax 314-776-
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