Abstract: A silver-based alloy incorporating palladium, magnesium and aluminium in the following proportions of the components, percent by weight:______________________________________ palladium 5 to 30 magnesium 0.1 to 0.5 aluminium 0.01 to 0.5 silver the balance. ______________________________________The alloy of the above-specified composition, in contrast to the known silver-based alloys, possesses a sufficiently high plasticity (relative elongation of the alloy after the internal oxidation thereof is as high as 25%), while retaining a high level of mechanical strength, elasticity, electro-contact and corrosion-resistance properties.

Abstract: A method according to the present invention is intended for treating items (articles) for magnetically soft alloys employed in radio-electronic, relay and switching apparatus, in optical-and-mechanical and automation systems. The method consists in saturating the surface of items with chromium inside a powder chromizing mixture at a temperature in excess of 800.degree. C. The items are heated at a rate not higher than that of recrystallization of a metal of the items, and the rate of diffusion processes of saturating the items. The items are cooled at a rate close to that of phase transformations and formation of a magnetic structure in the metal of the items, for example, at the rate of 20-200 degree/hour below the Curie point. To enhance the magnetic properties and the stability thereof, as well as wearability and the resistance of the items to corrosion, chromizing of the item surfaces is conducted in an inert gas atmosphere.