Subject: Re: Heat Hardening Sterling Silver Knife?

From: C++ Freak <[email-masked]>
Date: 30 Jul 1996 09:58:43 GMT

Not really.
Sterling silver can be heat hardened by recrystallization.
It should be heated to 350 C (600 F) for a few hours which equals
50 % deformation rate. However, this requires a furnace with an even
distribution of temperature and good temperature control.
An electric muffle furnace may do the job well.

Klaas

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From: Lee Marshall <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 28 Jul 1996 21:58:07 -0700

Unfortunately, you're going the wrong way. Non-ferrous metals, copper, 
silver, etc. soften and anneal under heat. Trying to heat treat silver 
in an juxtaposition of incompatable terms. It is possible to work harden 
silver or copper by hammering on it. This can be done with a planishing 
hammer and relatively light strokes.

Lee Marshall