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Precious Metal Argentium 935 F+PH

Precip hard

F+PH = as-cast plus precipitation hardening

Standard finishing route for cast Argentium items to raise surface hardness before polishing.

High cost $$$$

Values for the F+PH condition

Other Argentium 935 tempers and conditions

Argentium 935 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at Argentium 935.

Compare all 8 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
ODefault
Annealed
Standard stocked sheet/wire condition for forming, raising, forging and stone setting.802604548 HB80 % IACS
As fabricated
Directly cast jewellery pieces before any hardening treatment; softest and least wear resistant.1202701557 HB78 % IACS
F+PHThis page
As-cast plus precipitation hardening
Standard finishing route for cast Argentium items to raise surface hardness before polishing.200340885 HB81 % IACS
Quarter hard
Light rolling/drawing for sheet that must keep shape while still bending without cracking.2203302072 HB79 % IACS
Annealed then precipitation (age) hardened ~300 °C
Pick when a formed or cast part must be hardened after shaping without any cold work.3004002095 HB82 % IACS
Half hard
Common wire/sheet temper for earwires, bezels and findings needing springback and shape retention.3204001090 HB78 % IACS
Hardened
Maximum as-worked strength for springs, clasps, pin stems and thin stiff sections.4505004115 HB77 % IACS
Cold worked plus precipitation hardened
Highest hardness and wear resistance — rings, bangles and spring components that must resist denting.5005603133 HB78 % IACS

What is Argentium 935 F+PH?

Argentium 935 F+PH is Argentium 935 in the F+PH condition — standard finishing route for cast Argentium items to raise surface hardness before polishing. Argentium 935 F+PH has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 51% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi). Argentium 935 F+PH has a density of 10.3 g/cm³ (0.372 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of precious metal grades. It melts at 800°C (1,472 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; F+PH is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 99% of precious metal grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 96/100, better than 94% of precious metal grades
  • Readily welded — 85/100, better than 93% of precious metal grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 81 % IACS, better than 85% of precious metal grades
  • Conducts heat well — 330 W/m·K (190.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of precious metal grades

Limitations

  • Low stiffness — 75 GPa (10.9 Msi), worse than 98% of precious metal grades
  • Limited formability — 30/100, worse than 94% of precious metal grades
  • Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 92% of precious metal grades
  • Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 89% of precious metal grades

Argentium 935 F+PH properties

Typical room-temperature values for Argentium 935 F+PH; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Argentium 935 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among precious metal grades.

Physical3

Argentium 935 F+PH has a density of 10.3 g/cm³ (0.372 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of precious metal grades. It melts at 800°C (1,472 °F).

Density10.3 g/cm³0.37 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)800°C1,472 °F
Liquidus Temperature890°C1,634 °F

Mechanical12

Argentium 935 F+PH has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 51% of precious metal grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus75 GPa10.9 Msi
Shear Modulus28 GPa4.1 Msi
Bulk Modulus102 GPa14.8 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.37
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)340 MPa49.3 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)200 MPa29 ksi
Elongation at Break8%
Reduction in Area10%
Shear Strength215 MPa31.2 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)120 MPa17.4 ksi
Hardness, Brinell85 HB
Hardness, Vickers90 HV

Thermal6

Argentium 935 F+PH is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 330 W/m·K (190.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of precious metal grades. Thermal expansion is 18.9 µm/m·K (10.5 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity330 W/m·K191 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity235 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)18.9 µm/m·K10.5 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion105 J/g45.1 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)200°C392 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

Argentium 935 F+PH conducts electricity at 81 % IACS, better than 85% of precious metal grades.

Electrical Conductivity81 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.13×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.839 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), worse than 56% of precious metal grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)0.05 V
Corrosion ResistanceVery good78/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryResists atmospheric sulphide tarnish far better than 925 sterling; unaffected by water, most foods and alkalis; attacked by nitric acid, hot sulphuric acid, halogens, ammonium sulphide and chlorine bleach.

Sustainability3

Producing a kilogram of Argentium 935 F+PH takes about 1,600 MJ of energy and emits 120 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of precious metal grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)1,600 MJ/kg687,877 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)120 kg CO₂/kg
Typical Recycled Content60%

Manufacturability8

Argentium 935 F+PH's machinability is good (62/100, better than 99% of precious metal grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability poor (30/100).

MachinabilityGood62/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)62%
WeldabilityExcellent85/100
Formability (cold)Poor30/100
CastabilityVery good80/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent88/100
PolishabilityExcellent96/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — silver alloys are not anodised; finished by polishing, rhodium plating or oxidising patina

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Argentium 935 F+PH

Is Argentium 935 easy to machine?

Machines like sterling — gummy and prone to built-up edge; use sharp polished-flute HSS/carbide, high speed, light feed and generous lubricant, or machine in the age-hardened condition for cleaner chips.

Can Argentium 935 be welded?

Outstanding for laser and PUK/fusion welding — the germanium film suppresses oxidation, so joints stay bright with no firescale; support hot work carefully as the alloy is very weak just below the solidus.

Can Argentium 935 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability when annealed (about 580–650 °C, air cool); interanneal after ~50–60 % reduction and avoid handling parts while hot.

What surface finishes work on Argentium 935?

Polishes to a whiter, brighter finish than 925 with no firescale layer to remove; age-harden at ~300 °C for 45–60 min before final polish, and rhodium plating is optional rather than needed.

Argentium 935 chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Aghallmark fineness 93593.5 – 94.593.5
Geforms protective GeO2 surface film; suppresses firescale0.8 – 1.51.2
Cubalance, with trace deoxidiser/grain-refiner additionsbalance—

Argentium 935 F+PH — frequently asked

What is Argentium 935 F+PH used for?

Argentium 935 F+PH is typically used for jewelry, flatware, hollowware and wedding bands. In short: firescale-free sterling substitute; best laser-weldable silver; age-hardenable precious alloy.

What is the yield strength of Argentium 935 F+PH?

Argentium 935 F+PH has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 51% of precious metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.

Is Argentium 935 F+PH easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 99% of precious metal grades). Machines like sterling — gummy and prone to built-up edge; use sharp polished-flute HSS/carbide, high speed, light feed and generous lubricant, or machine in the age-hardened condition for cleaner chips.

Can Argentium 935 F+PH be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Outstanding for laser and PUK/fusion welding — the germanium film suppresses oxidation, so joints stay bright with no firescale; support hot work carefully as the alloy is very weak just below the solidus.

What surface finishes work on Argentium 935 F+PH?

Polishes to a whiter, brighter finish than 925 with no firescale layer to remove; age-harden at ~300 °C for 45–60 min before final polish, and rhodium plating is optional rather than needed.

Can Argentium 935 F+PH be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability when annealed (about 580–650 °C, air cool); interanneal after ~50–60 % reduction and avoid handling parts while hot.

What is the maximum service temperature of Argentium 935 F+PH?

Argentium 935 F+PH is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between Argentium 935-O and Argentium 935-H?

O is the default condition — standard stocked sheet/wire condition for forming, raising, forging and stone setting. H: maximum as-worked strength for springs, clasps, pin stems and thin stiff sections. Yield strength is 80 MPa in O versus 450 MPa in H.

Sources

  1. Argentium Silver technical data (935 and 960) — Argentium International Ltd (2022)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (silver alloys) — ASM International (1990)
  3. Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology — papers on germanium-modified sterling — Met-Chem Research (2010)
  4. Cooksongold / Rio Grande Argentium sheet & wire product data — Cookson-Clal / Rio Grande (2023)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.