At the end of the XIX century, French scientists Shoria and Mayo, with the help of a nickel and copper alloy, created a metal, which could very well imitate natural silver. The alloy began to apply for the manufacture of cutlery and dishes, and then the decorations began to make both the decorations, as well as medical instruments and various parts for technical use.
Melchior quickly entered the fashion, so in almost every family, whose wealth did not allow to have cutlery from silver, forks, spoons and knives for the feasts were from Melchior. The cost of such products was not too high, but in appearance they were difficult to distinguish from silver. However, hostesses had to thoroughly paint the table utensils from Melchior so that she would look expensive and presentable.
What it is?
The chemical formula of Melchior implies Compound of copper and nickel metals taken in certain percentages, the result of which the alloy is obtained, which looks shiny and has a silver color. Such metal has become a kind of stumbling block for man -ans who did not know how to distinguish silver from Melchior and often got to see, acquiring nominator products for the price of silver.
Sometimes iron and manganese added to the copper alloy with nickel to increase the density and strength of the material. If a magnet was brought to such a product, it was possible to notice that it manifests its magnetic properties and magnetizes, while silver products were not able to show magnetic properties.
After conducting several experiments, experts began to make Melchior of various brands, which even received their names and found certain areas of application for themselves.
Appearance
Initially, Melchior was conceived as an inexpensive alternative to silver. In appearance, the product from the copper alloy and nickel did not differ from Silver, they looked as elegant and kindly, but they were much cheaper than silver counterparts. It was especially difficult to determine the melchive objects, if the gold fellow, silver or a layer of rhodium were applied on top. The difference between silver and Melchior is not only among their alloys, but also in the principles of care for products.
Composition
The alloy consisting of a copper-nickel base belongs to the class of non-ferrous metals. Basically, the Melchior consists of copper, and nickel and other additives act as ligature, which gives the finished alloy hardness and durability. The composition of metals applicable to the alloy allows the material not to corrode, oxidizing in the air. It is the properties of stainless metal and its silver shine became the most important and valuable in Melchior.
Initially, Melchior consisted only of copper and nickel, but over time, its composition was made more perfect and diverse. So there were various brands of Melchior. The composition of metals in modern Melchior may be as follows:
- Copper - from 65 to 90%;
- Nickel (sometimes with the addition of cobalt) - from 5 to 30%;
- Manganese - no more than 1%;
- Iron - no more than 1%.
In some brands of Melchior, there is a zinc that was replaced by a certain part of nickel. The resulting alloy had a noble silver-steel color and quite often used for the manufacture of coins. Because of the diversity of Melchior Alloy, it reached the fact that in the end of the filamentous spoons from brass began to call no other than Melchior.
Modern alloy of Melchior is a durable, stainless material. Thanks to the large content of the copper, the surface of the products from the Melchior will oversleep.
To preserve the initial type of product, it is necessary to clean and polish both with a prophylactic target and after use.
Marking
For products made of melchior alloy, there is a stigma (sample) consisting of two letters: M and N. These letters designate that the alloy includes copper and nickel. If there are meters and MC next to the letters, such symbols indicated that in the form of ligature, the alloy includes iron and manganese. In addition to the alphabetic designation, the stigma on the Melchior Products had numbers. For example, the test of the MTF 30-1-1 indicated that in the alloy, in addition to the copper base, contains 30% of nickel, 1% iron and 1% manganese.
The products from Melchior were manufactured in our country to the period of decay of the USSR, after which the similar alloy began to produce already with the addition of zinc. The result was nezilber - one of the varieties of Melchior. Objects from the copper-nickel alloy without additives zinc can now be purchased except in antique stores. The products made of nezilber in appearance and strength to be visually not distinguished from silver, that's just silver when contacting a wet surface and in the air can darken, and the alloy of the melchior with the zinc will remain unchanged.
A distinctive feature of the nezilber is its stamp. And if the Melchior label breakdown MN, then the zinc alloy already has another marking - ITC. Sometimes it happens that there are no samples on the product. Then to determine the composition you need to know the date of its manufacture or estimate the color of the product for the presence of a yellowish tint in it: if there is no such hue, it means that you are nezilber, and not Melchior.
Properties of metal
Characteristics of copper alloy with nickel are as follows:
- The alloy does not enter the oxidative reaction with oxygen;
- not exposed to saline and acidic solutions, including sea water;
- shows resistance to gases;
- well susceptible to spike, polishing;
- The material density is 8900 kg / m3;
- Specific electrical resistance is 284-285 n / m, exceeding copper resistance by about 20 times;
- If there are no manganese and iron in the alloy, the Melchior will be an electric current conductor;
- without iron impurities in its composition, the alloy will not have a property of magnetization;
- The strength of the Melchior is comparable with the strength of steel;
- The resistance of the material on the gap is 380-400 MPa;
- Brinell hardness level is 66-70 units.
Melchior is considered a more durable alloy than silver, while its weight is significantly less than that of the noble metal.
Melting temperature
To give the Melchiorem alloy hardness, conduct special heat treatment, which is as follows: The alloy is heated to 260-300 ° C, and then give it slowly cooling into the furnace, naturally reducing the temperature. Such a process is called Nagarovka. With it, Melchior is done very durable.
Product specifications:
- Melchior melted temperature ranges from 1190 to 1230 ° C and depends on the composition of the alloy;
- Indicators of the specific heat capacity are an average of up to 390-400 j / kg, which manifests itself at a temperature of +15 to + 25 ° C;
- Melchioric composition is not subject to oxidative processes, provided that the ambient temperature will be within up to + 150 ° C.
From the composition of the composition of the ligature is used in the alloy, the metals plasticity indicator will depend on. The larger in its composition of iron and manganese, the lower the coefficient of the hardness of the Melchior.
Varieties of alloys
To date, more than 65 different metal alloys are known, which belong to the general group of Melchior. Each such alloy has its own name and properties, which finds the display in the marking and the percentage composition of the material.
Consider the most common alloys.
- MONEL. Metal alloy contains in its composition up to 66-67% of nickel. This material was widely used in the manufacture of medical instruments, used for the production of products needed in the oil and chemical spheres in the shipbuilding industry.
- Constantan. The alloy contains no more than 40-41% nickel, which gives the material high hardness and strength. This material is used for the manufacture of metal-cutting machines and fixtures.
- Nickel silver. The alloy contains up to 15% nickel, and zinc is added as ligature. This alloy of Melchior is used for the issue of breastplate states of differences, coins and decorations are made from it, as well as parts used in accurate instrument making.
For the manufacture of cutlery and utensils, zinc does not apply, and so that during the meal did not feel a metal taste, the surface of the cutlery is covered with a thin layer of gilding or silver.
Areas of use
Since the Melchior is resistant to sea salt water, it is mastered from it, which is used in the sphere of maritime shipbuilding. High electrical conductivity allows us to use melchive alloys for the production of thermoelements, resistors and other conductive elements. It is often applied to Melchior and in the field of automotive industry: a metal alloy covers certain parts of the car mechanism in order to prevent their corrosion.
From the copper-nickel alloy make water fittings, fittings, valves and other water supply systems. Melchioric alloy is used in medicine: products made of this material can be repeatedly subjected to various antimicrobial treatment options. At the same time, they do not rust, remaining in its original form.
Cutlery and dishes
From the moment of the creation of the Melchior Alloy, it was used for the production of dining rooms and appliances, which in their beauty could compete with silver products. Sets of melchior spoons, forks and knives used during festive fences: Such a setting decorated the table with its bright silver glitter. Vases for fruits or sweets, solllers, saucers, trays with a set of stacks, jugs and glasses were made as cutlery from the Melchior Alloy alloy.
Dishes from Melchior was not ashamed and to give. The kettle, the cup holder, a spoon with enamel - all this was not only relevant, but also desirable, and was presented on any solemn case. Of Melchior, large tea samovars and turks for cooking coffee were often made. Inside, these items could be covered with a thin layer of tin so that when heated into water, any harmful substances were distinguished. Melchior coaster had low thermal conductivity: putting hot tea in them, it was possible not to be afraid to burn her fingers during the tea party.
Decorations
Silver glitter of a noble metal alloy did not leave indifferent and lovers of jewelry. Melchioric products firmly occupied their niche in this area, but not as a fake of silver, but as products from a unique and demanded metal. Decorations made from copper-nickel alloy, have a high degree of wear-resistance and sophistication of the appearance. They are additionally decorated with special blacks, add a patina, treated with a filigree manner.
Melchior is often decorated with silver: This surface not only has an elegant appearance, but also has antiseptic properties thanks to silver ions. Quite often, the alloy of copper and nickel is decorated with gilding. Basically this is done with jewelry and souvenirs. The gold layer applied to the surface of the products does not exceed 1 micrometer, but if we apply it to the method of plating, then the resistance of such a gilding will be very high.
Gold plated Melchior even with daily use does not lose its properties. It is hypoallergen and safe for use when contacting the skin.
How to distinguish from stainless steel?
Determine at home, Melchior in front of you or stainless steel is very difficult. To facilitate the task, you can use the advice of specialists.
- Definition with sample. On products from copper and nickel alloy, they put special stigma in the form of letters of MN, which can be combined with letters, MC, C and numbers indicating the percentage of ligature. There are no such marking on stainless steel products.
- If you apply a drop of water on the nickel alloy and copper, then a few hours later, instead of a drop, you will see a greenish spot, while stainless steel stains does not give.
- Pharmacy Lyapis Pencil On the Melchior Products leaves a dark trail, and on stainless steel - no.
- Melchiorovy alloy It has small magnetic properties, and the stainless steel - no, as it has chromium and nickel.
- The alloy of Melchior is 3 times more expensive, than a alloy of stainless steel, as the Melchior contains more expensive nickel.
Stainless steel is often trying to give for silver or melchior composition, but Melchior is often found in fakes of precious jewelry, dishes and other products that imitate silver.
How to care?
So that products from the nickel and copper alloy looked adequately and attracted their attention to their beauty, they must be periodically updated using cleaning and polishing. For this purpose, a dental powder can be used, a chalk composition or agent designed to care for jewelry made of precious metals and alloys. It is important that in the composition of such cleaning agents there is no components of acids or chlorine elements, since these substances form a difficult raid on the surface of the melchior products.
Here are a few recipes using which, you can clean the cutlery or decorations.
- The surface is treated with soda dissolved in water In the ratio of 50 g of soda per 1 l of liquid. It is not recommended to clean dry powder soda, since after such a procedure, scratches may appear on the surface of the products. After treatment with soda with soda, the product needs to be rinsed with water and dry the towel dryly, as wet drops will form stains.
- Another recipe with soda: In aluminum container, it is necessary to put a foil layer and pour it with a solution of soda (the same proportions as in the previous version). Next to the container you need to fold the items that you plan to clean. The container is put on the stove, and its contents are adjusted to a boil. Then each item is rinsed in water and wipe the cloth dry.
- Recipe with ammonia: In warm water, a bit of ammonia alcohol is breed and products from the melchior are placed in the resulting solution. After some time, the objects are removed from the solution, washed in clean water and dried dry, polishing their cloth to the brilliance.
- Eggshell cleaning: The eggshell must be thoroughly crushed to the powder state - it is enough to take the shell from 2 eggs. The egg shell powder is placed in a larger capacity, poured a liter of water and add 20 g of salts. Capacity with solution put on fire and bring to a boil. Then melchive products intended for cleaning are placed in the boiling solution and boil them for at least 2-3 minutes. After that, the items are removed from the solution, washed with water, dried and polished with clean tissue.
After the cleaning and polishing procedure is completed, products made of Melchior Alloy must be removed to store in a special box or case with a soft inside. Inside the storage case should be dry and clean. Typically, melchive objects are sold already packaged in special boxes or cases, therefore, it is best to store products in them.
It is very important to avoid exposure to moisture, chemical or perfume substances. Also, products should be protected from coarse mechanical effects. Observing these uncomplicated rules, regularly performing the procedure for cleaning and polishing, you can admire your melchive ornaments or cutting devices for many years.
About how to clean Melchior in two minutes, see the next video.