EFFECT OF ALUMINIUM ADDITION ON MECHANICAL AND CORROSION CHARACTERISTICS OF STERLING SILVER AgCuZnSi ALLOY

This study investigates the effects of aluminum addition on the mechanical and corrosion properties of a sterling silver alloy in the Ag-Cu-Zn-Si system. Corrosion behavior was evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization tests, open-circuit potential measurements, and the linear polarization resistance method. The alloys were tested in four different solutions: artificial sweat, 0.9% NaCl, and 0.1M and 0.01M Na₂S solutions. Mechanical properties were assessed through Brinell hardness testing. The results indicate that aluminum improves the corrosion resistance of the alloy, but only up to a certain concentration. A small aluminum addition enhances corrosion resistance compared to the reference alloy, while a further increase reduces it. The best performance was observed for the AgCu1.9Zn3.7Al1.6Si0.3 alloy.