Abstract: The present invention relates to an Ag alloy film. Particularly, it is preferably used as a reflective film or semi-transmissive reflective film for an optical information recording medium having high thermal conductivity/high reflectance/high durability in the field of optical information recording media, an electromagnetic-shielding film excellent in Ag aggregation resistance, and an optical reflective film on the back of a reflection type liquid crystal display device, or the like. The Ag alloy film of the present invention comprises an Ag base alloy containing Bi and/or Sb in a total amount of 0.005 to 10% (in terms of at %). Further, the present invention relates to a sputtering target used for the deposition of such an Ag alloy film.

Abstract: A metal nanoparticle composition includes a thermally decomposable or UV decomposable stabilizer. A method of forming conductive features on a substrate, includes providing a solution containing metal nanoparticles with a stabilizer; and liquid depositing the solution onto the substrate, wherein during the deposition or following the deposition of the solution onto the substrate, decomposing and removing the stabilizer, by thermal treatment or by UV treatment, at a temperature below about 180° C. to form conductive features on the substrate.

Abstract: Nano-structured interconnect formation and a reworkable bonding process using solder films. Large area fabrication of nano-structured interconnects is demonstrated at a very fine pitch. This technology can be used for pushing the limits of current flip chip bonding in terms of pitch, number of I/Os, superior combination of electrical and mechanical properties as well as reworkability. Sol-gel and electroless processes were developed to demonstrate film bonding interfaces between metallic pads and nano interconnects. Solution-derived nano-solder technology is an attractive low-cost method for several applications such as MEMS hermetic packaging, compliant interconnect bonding and bump-less nano-interconnects.

Abstract: A semi-reflective film and reflective film for an optical recording medium, which is made of a silver alloy having a composition consisting of 0.001 to 0.1% by mass of Ca, 0.05 to 1% by mass of Mg, and a remainder containing Ag and inevitable impurities, and a target which is made of a silver alloy having a composition consisting of 0.001 to 0.1% by mass of Ca, 0.05 to 1% by mass of Mg, and a remainder containing Ag and inevitable impurities; and a semi-reflective film for an optical recording medium, which is made of a silver alloy having a composition consisting of 0.05 to 1% by mass of Mg, 0.05 to 1% by mass of one or more of Eu, Pr, Ce and Sm, and a remainder containing Ag and inevitable impurities, and an Ag alloy sputtering target for forming a semi-reflective film for an optical recording medium, which is made of a silver alloy having a composition consisting of 0.05 to 1% by mass of Mg, 0.05 to 1% by mass of one or more of Eu, Pr, Ce and Sm, and a remainder containing Ag and inevitable impurities.

Abstract: Object of the present invention is to provide a production method of a highly crystalline silver powder containing powder particles in fine particle region and having a good particle size distribution as well as the highly crystalline silver powder obtained by the production method. In order to achieve the object, the present invention adopts a production method characterized in that the method comprises preparation of a first aqueous solution in which gelatin, silver nitrate and nitric acid are dissolved in water, preparation of a second aqueous solution in which L-sorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid and a water-soluble organic acid are dissolved, adding of the second aqueous solution slowly to mix with the first aqueous solution, stirring of the mixture to grow the silver particles after finishing the mixing, keeping of the mixture still to settle the silver particles, discarding of the supernatant, filtration and rinsing to obtain the highly crystalline silver powder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an Ag alloy film. Particularly, it is preferably used as a reflective film or semi-transmissive reflective film for an optical information recording medium having high thermal conductivity/high reflectance/high durability in the field of optical information recording media, an electromagnetic-shielding film excellent in Ag aggregation resistance, and an optical reflective film on the back of a reflection type liquid crystal display device, or the like. The Ag alloy film of the present invention comprises an Ag base alloy containing Bi and/or Sb in a total amount of 0.005 to 10% (in terms of at %). Further, the present invention relates to a sputtering target used for the deposition of such an Ag alloy film.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to flotation of refractory gold sulfide ores in which the ore is ground, floated, the tailings reground, and refloated to produce gold-bearing concentrates.

Abstract: A silver alloy reflective film is used in an optical information recording medium and contains silver as a main component, a total of 0.01 to 3 atomic percent of at least one of Bi and Sb, and a total of 3 to 42 atomic percent of at least one of Cu, Ge, Mg, and Zn. The silver alloy reflective film preferably further contains 0.1 to 3 atomic percent of yttrium. An optical information recording medium includes the silver alloy reflective film. A sputtering target for depositing the silver alloy reflective film contains silver as a main component, 0.01 to 3 atomic percent of Sb (or 0.03 to 10 atomic percent of Bi), and a total of 3 to 42 atomic percent of at least one of Cu, Ge, Mg, and Zn.

Abstract: Stable atomic quantum clusters, AQCs, characterized by being composed of at least 500 metal atoms, its production process characterized by having a kinetic control and by maintaining a low concentration of reagents in the reaction medium, as well as the uses of these clusters as sensors (fluorescent, magnetic or chemical), electrocatalysts and as cytostatics and/or cytotoxics.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide highly crystalline silver powder which is characterized in fine particles, showing high dispersibility, it's particle size distribution is not excessively sharp but relatively broad and crystallites are large; and a method for producing the same. In order to achieve the object, a method for producing highly crystalline silver powder is characterized in that mixing a first aqueous solution and a second aqueous solution, wherein the first aqueous solution contains silver nitrate, a dispersing agent and nitric acid, and the second solution contains ascorbic acid. For dispersing agent, polyvinylpyrrolidone or gelatin is preferred. Highly crystalline silver powder produced by the above-described method is preferred to be a crystallite diameter of 300 ? or more, an average particle diameter D50 in the range from 0.5 ?m to 10 ?m, and a thermal shrinkage rate for the length direction after heating at 700° C. in the range from ?3% to 3%.

Abstract: Lead-free solder compositions for bonding and sealing flat panel displays, CCD's, solar cells, light emitting diodes, and other optoelectronic devices are disclosed. The solders are based on alloys of Sn, Au, Ag, and Cu and one or more rare earth metals chosen from the following, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Sc, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu. Optionally, the compositions may comprise In, Bi, or Zn. The solder compositions exhibit superior bonding capability in joining dissimilar surfaces such as those present in both the flat panel display and light emitting devices. Additionally the solders provide a strong barrier to the diffusion of both water and oxygen into these devices thus promoting longer device life times.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming compositions having a plurality of ultra-fine metallic particles, and the metallic composition produced therewith. Also provided is a substrate coated with the plurality of ultra-fine metallic particles obtained in accordance with the method of the present invention.

Abstract: An Ag-based alloy wire for a semiconductor package is highly reliable and can be fabricated with low costs. The Ag-based alloy wire includes 0.05˜5 wt % of at least one kind of a first additive ingredient selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), osmium (Os), gold (Au), and nickel (Ni), and Ag as a remainder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silver alloy for use in a reflection film in an optical recording medium, comprising silver as a main component, and at least one metal element as a first additive element having lower melting point than that of silver. Preferable first additive elements in the present invention are aluminum, indium, tin, bismuth, gallium, zinc, strontium, calcium and germanium. Further, second additive elements in the present invention are preferable if they contain at least one of elements comprising platinum, gold, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, palladium, lead, copper, manganese, silicon, nickel, chrome, cobalt, yttrium, iron, scandium, zirconium, titanium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, hafnium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, thulium, ytterbiumm, magnesium, and boron.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pain relief composition comprising paramagnetic silver nanoparticles. More specifically, the composition is characterized in that it comprises from 0.03 to 0.05% by weight of paramagnetic silver nanoparticles having specific properties that were not revealed by conventional diamagnetic silver nanoparticles. The pain relief composition according to the present invention shows excellent effect of relieving pain of arthritis due to antibiotic property and anti-toxicity of paramagnetic silver nanoparticles. By using the paramagnetic silver nanoparticles having small particle size, the composition is rapidly absorbed into cells upon being applied to skin. In addition, by virtue of using silver (Ag), no complication such as skin coloration or edema was observed. According to the present invention, pain is relieved by simple application, so that the usage is easy as compared to surgical treatment such as arthroscopic operation to provide high satisfaction to a patient.

Abstract: It is aimed at creating noble metal nanoparticles having novel shapes, sizes, and arrangements usable for catalysts, electrodes, and the like. Micelles made into rod-like shapes having semicylindrical cross-sections are formed on a carrier substrate in a self-creating manner and immobilized thereon; noble metal ions are added and diffused in the micelles to complex the micelles with noble metal ions; and a reducing agent is subsequently caused to act thereon to progress a reductive reaction of noble metal within the immobilized micelles as reaction fields, thereby growing single crystalline noble metal ultrathin-film nanoparticles on the carrier substrate by utilizing the fixed micelles having the shapes as templates, respectively.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hard precious metal alloy member comprising casting a material consisting essentially of a gold alloy, which has a gold content of from 37.50 to 98.45 wt %, and contains gadolinium in an amount of not less than 50 ppm, but less than 1,5000 ppm; subjecting the material to a solution heat treatment; and subjecting the material to an aging treatment after the solution heat treatment.

Abstract: Raman-active nanoclusters comprised of a metal and a Raman-active organic molecule incorporated therein that are capable of self-assembly are described. The Raman-active nanoclusters are capable of acting as sensitive reporters for analyte detection. A metal that enhances the Raman signal from the organic Raman-active compound is inherent in the nanocluster. A variety of organic Raman-active compounds and mixtures of compounds can be incorporated into the nanocluster.

Abstract: A particulate silver powder has an average particle diameter measured by TEM observation (DTEM) of 200 nm or less, an aspect ratio of less than 2.50, and a {(DTEM)/(Dx)} of 5.0 or less (where (Dx) denotes X-ray crystallite size). The particulate silver powder has a content of each of I?, Cl?, SO42?, NO3? and CN? of 100 ppm or less. The particulate silver powder is obtained by subjecting a silver compound other than silver nitrate to reduction in an organic solvent having a boiling point of 85° C. or greater at a temperature of 85° C. or greater and in the presence of an organic protective agent.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a silver powder which is an unprecedentedly fine particulate silver powder and has a dispersibility more approximate to monodispersibility resulting less aggregation. To achieve the above object, a fine particulate silver powder having unprecedented powder properties in which: a. the average particle diameter DIA of the primary particles obtained by image analysis of a scanning electron micrograph is 0.6 ?m or less; b. the crystallite diameter is 10 nm or less; and c. the sintering starting temperature is 240° C.

Abstract: An Ag alloy reflective layer for optical information recording medium having excellent environmental resistance, an optical information recording medium having such Ag alloy reflective layer, and the like are provided. This Ag alloy reflective layer for an optical information includes 0.1 to 5 atomic % in total of at least one element selected from W, Ti, V, Mn, Zr, Cr, and Ni; 0.005 to 1 atomic % of Bi; and the residue of Ag and inevitable impurities. As a consequence, this Ag alloy reflective layer has improved environmental resistance including the light resistance for the light beam of particular wavelength and resistance to moist heat under particular set of conditions.

Abstract: Alloys for medical, surgical and microsurgical instruments are proposed which comprise 0.01% to 20% by weight of germanium, from 0-25% of shallow hydrogenic and/or non-hydrogenic acceptor dopants in terms of weight ratio in relation to germanium, from 0% up to 20% by weight of one or more of the following compounds such as platinum, gold, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, aluminium, silicon, hafnium, yttrium, lanthanum, zirconium with the remainder, up to 100% by weight, constituted by silver and inevitable impurities, wherein instruments from these alloys possess properties such as no capacitive impedance in relation to the electrode-tissue interface; a Far Infrared Radiation (FIR) emitting capacity when energized by any form of energy; sulfurization, corrosion and oxidation resistant and have suitable hardness for their intended use; emit anions and may possess fractal surfaces.

Abstract: Crosslinked polymer compositions have backbones with first and second divalent saturated aliphatic moieties, a divalent saturated aliphatic secondary alcohol moiety, and a trivalent saturated aliphatic moiety. Hydrolytically labile ester bonds joined together these moieties. These polyesters may be polycondensation reaction products of a diol, a triol and a diacid. A molar ratio of the first divalent saturated aliphatic moiety, the divalent saturated aliphatic secondary alcohol moiety, and the trivalent saturated aliphatic moiety to the second divalent saturated aliphatic moiety is in the range of about 0.85 to about 1.5. Preferably, these polyesters are non-cytotoxic, biocompatible, bioabsorbable, or exhibit shape memory behavior with at least one transition temperature of greater than about 30° C. and less than about 100° C. and most preferably exhibit each of these qualities. The compositions may be adapted for a wide variety of uses, including medical applications.

Abstract: Alloys of silver and an alloying element that diffuses to the surface of the high conductivity metal and is oxidizable to form an alloying element oxide such as beryllium are provided along with electronic structures employing the alloys and methods of fabrication.

Abstract: A hard precious metal alloy member is constituted of a gold alloy, which has a gold Au content of from 37.50 to 98.45 wt %, and contains a hardening additive in a range of not less than 50 ppm but less than 15,000 ppm, wherein the hardening additive is constituted of gadolinium Gd only, or gadolinium Gd and at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare-earth elements other than Gd, alkaline-earth elements, silicon Si, aluminum Al, and boron B.

Abstract: An alloy based on silver is provided, which can be used for reflective layers with a reflection factor of >90% in the visible spectral range of daylight and which exhibits a high resistance to corrosion in sulfur-containing atmospheres. The alloy contains about 0.01 to 5 wt % indium and/or tin and/or antimony and/or bismuth and the remainder silver.

Abstract: Alloys for medical, surgical and microsurgical instruments are proposed which comprise 0.01% to 20% by weight of germanium, from 0-25% of shallow hydrogenic and/or non-hydrogenic acceptor dopants in terms of weight ratio in relation to germanium, from 0% up to 20% by weight of one or more of the following compounds such as platinum, gold, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, aluminium, silicon, hafnium, yttrium, lanthanum, zirconium with the remainder, up to 100% by weight, constituted by silver and inevitable impurities, wherein instruments from these alloys possess properties such as no capacitive impedance in relation to the electrode-tissue interface; a Far Infrared Radiation (FIR) emitting capacity when energized by any form of energy; sulfurization, corrosion and oxidation resistant and have suitable hardness for their intended use; emit anions and may possess fractal surfaces.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric contact material useful in the fabrication of a vehicle relay of high durability against inductive load to which the relay incorporated in a magnetic clutch of a vehicle air-conditioner is exposed, and also to a relay having remarkable durability as has never been attained for use in vehicles. The invention provides an electric contact material useful in the fabrication of a relay for use in a vehicle, wherein the material contains an Ag—SnO2—In2O3 alloy which is produced through internal oxidation of an Ag—Sn—In—Ni alloy containing 5.0-10 wt. % (as reduced to metal) Sn and 2.0-5.0 wt. % In, the balance being Ag {or alternatively, an Ag—SnO2—In2O3—NiO alloy which is produced through internal oxidation of an Ag—Sn—In—Ni alloy containing 5.0-10 wt. % (as reduced to metal) Sn, 2.0-5.0 wt. % In, and 0.01-0.50 wt. % Ni, the balance being Ag}, and is used in a shielded space.

Abstract: A make-and-break contact material which is less worn out and is able to achieve an increased life compared to a conventional material of Ag—CdO-based alloy, in an AC general relay used for a resistive load of about 1 to 20A in a range of AC 100V to 250V. In the present invention, the make-and-break contact material of Ag—Ni-based alloy used for a switching part performing electrical switching through mechanical switching operation is the make-and-break contact material of Ag—Ni-based alloy with Ni metal particles dispersed therein which is obtained through mixing and stirring 3.1 to 20.0 wt % of Ni powder, a certain amount of Li2CO3 powder corresponding to 0.01 to 0.50 wt % of metal Li as an additive, and a balance being Ag powder to make a mixture with the above described powders uniformly dispersed therein, and through compacting and sintering the above described mixture.

Abstract: An optical data recording and storage medium includes a reflective layer formed from a silver alloy that contains, in addition to silver, about 0.1 to about 4.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of alloy, of samarium (Sm).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing oriented anisotropic particles comprising the steps of providing at least one anisotropic particle, dispersing the one anisotropic particle(s) in a medium, and freeze drying the dispersion of anisotropic particle(s) and the medium. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an oriented anisotropic material comprising at least one anisotropic particle dispersed in a medium and thereafter freeze dried. Another embodiment relates to an article comprising an oriented anisotropic material and at least one matrix, wherein the oriented anisotropic material comprises a freeze dried anisotropic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an Ag alloy film. Particularly, it is preferably used as a reflective film or semi-transmissive reflective film for an optical information recording medium having high thermal conductivity/high reflectance/high durability in the field of optical information recording media, an electromagnetic-shielding film excellent in Ag aggregation resistance, and an optical reflective film on the back of a reflection type liquid crystal display device, or the like. The Ag alloy film of the present invention comprises an Ag base alloy containing Bi and/or Sb in a total amount of 0.005 to 10% (in terms of at %). Further, the present invention relates to a sputtering target used for the deposition of such an Ag alloy film.

Abstract: A high purity silver wire for use in recording, acoustic or image transmission applications. The high purity silver wire is made of high purity silver containing sulfur, iron, copper, palladium, gold and lead impurities in an amount such that no one of the sulfur, iron, copper, palladium, gold and lead impurities individually exceeds 0.5 ppmw, and wherein all other impurities are present in a total amount of less than 1 ppmw.

Abstract: When a diamond is brazed to a metal substrate, while obtaining a stable joining strength, a joined interface of the diamond is not eroded to provide a good joint with a beautiful view. A brazing-filler material containing at least one selected from a group consisting of gold and silver, and copper as principal components, and further containing 0.001 to 5 mass % of vanadium is used. Preferably, a vanadium content is not more than 2.0 mass %, and more preferably not more than 0.5 mass %. Using this brazing-filler material, unidirectional solidification is performed from a side of diamond to form vanadium carbide in a joined interface in a shape of islands, and thereby an interface having a beautiful view with stable joining strength can be obtained. In addition, strong joining is possible also by a usual solidification method.

Abstract: A hard precious metal alloy member is constituted of a gold alloy, which has a gold Au content of from 37.50 to 98.45 wt %, and contains a hardening additive in a range of not less than 50 ppm but less than 15,000 ppm, wherein the hardening additive is constituted of gadolinium Gd only, or gadolinium Gd and at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare-earth elements other than Gd, alkaline-earth elements, silicon Si, aluminum Al, and boron B.

Abstract: The accessory of the present invention comprises 1% to 9% by weight of germanium, 2% to 20% of indium in terms of weight ratio with respect to germanium, and the rest constituted by silver. It can provide an accessory realizing a metallic luster similar to the brightness of platinum and the health-enhancing and curing effect caused by the far-infrared effect at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to brazing filler metals that can be used in the infiltration brazing of porous matrix materials without the need for a flux. The brazing filler metals contain two different Group II metals and a third metal of Group 9 and 10. A particular brazing filler metal of the invention contains silver, copper, and nickel. The invention is also directed to composite materials formed by infiltration of the brazing material into a porous matrix, and to methods for preparing the composite materials. The invention is further directed to composite articles fabricated from composite materials, including steel bearings or bushings, and to methods of preparing the composite articles.

Abstract: A metal-ceramic composite substitute is produced by joining a metal plate to a ceramic substrate by using a brazing material in a paste form prepared by adding 10-14 parts by weight of a vehicle to 100 parts by weight of a powder of which the solid centent comprises 90.0˜99.5% of an Ag powder, 0˜9.5% of a Cu powder and 0.5˜4.0% of an active metal powder, and 0.0˜0.9% of a titanium oxide powder if necessary.

Abstract: The invention provides a fully dense compacted metal composite comprising silver alloy matrix having uniformly dispersed therein discrete microparticles of a refractory metal oxide, and further comprising discrete macroparticles of metal oxides. This composition can be used for electrical contacts which have greater mechanical strength, welding resistance and arc erosion resistance than previously known electrical contacts.

Abstract: A solder composition that bonds well to oxides and other surfaces to which solder bonding is conventionally difficult is provided. The solder is particularly useful for reliable bonding and packaging of optical components that often have oxide surfaces. The solder composition exhibits a microstructure containing a solder matrix in which is distributed fine, micron-scale islands of rare-earth-containing intermetallic particles. The existence of the islands makes the rare earth elements better available for bonding, and reduce the extent to which the rare earths are oxidized. Advantageously, the solder contains Au and/or Ag, in which the rare earth elements tend to have some solid solubility. Due to this solubility, the Au and/or Ag tend to provide some additional protection of the rare earths against oxidation, and thereby also provide accelerated dissolution of the rare earth into the molten solder.

Abstract: The invention provides an article comprising a solder that bonds well to oxides and other surfaces to which solder bonding is problematic. The solder composition contains one or more rare earth elements, which react with the oxide or other surface to promote bonding, and further contains sufficient Au and/or Ag to act as carriers for the rare earths. Because rare earths have some solid solubility in Au and Ag, the problem of intermetallic formation is lessened or eliminated, and improved bonding to oxide surfaces is attained.

Abstract: The novel apparatus for producing high-purity silver comprises an electric furnace 1, an outer cylinder 3 contained in the furnace in such a way that it can be evacuated with a vacuum pump 2, a feed crucible 5 placed within the outer cylinder 3 and fixed onto an aspiration table 9 provided in the center of a recovery mold 6, a cooling trap 8 and a water-cooled flange 7 that are detachably connected to the other parts including an inner cylinder 4 located over the crucible 5. When a silver feed is heated within the crucible at 3a specified temperature and pressure, the silver evaporates and condenses on the ceiling of the inner cylinder to yield silver particles, which are collected in the recovery mold; gold, copper and other impurities having higher vapor pressures than silver are left within the crucible whereas sulfur, sodium and other impurities having higher vapor pressures are withdrawn by means of the vacuum pump to be introduced into the cooling trap and hereafter solidified.

Abstract: A process for altering surface properties of a mass of metal alloy solder comprising a first metal and a second metal. The process comprises exposing the mass to energized ions to preferentially sputter atoms of the first metal to form a surface layer ratio of first metal to second metal atoms that is less than the bulk ratio. The solder may be located on the surface of a substrate, wherein the process may further comprise masking the substrate to shield all but a selected area from the ion beam. The sputtering gas may comprises a reactive gas such as oxygen and the substrate may be an organic substrate. The process may further comprise simultaneously exposing the organic substrate to energized ions of the reactive gas to roughen the organic substrate surface.

Abstract: A fine silver alloy composition having at least about 99.5 weight percent silver, with the balance containing an element, or an oxide of an element, selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, antimony, cadmium, gallium, germanium, indium, lithium, manganese, magnesium, silicon, tin, titanium and zinc, the alloy composition having been formed by combining silver having a purity of at least about 99.90 weight percent with an element, or an oxide of an element, selected from the group, in a substantially non-oxidizing atmosphere. The alloy composition may be annealed in a substantially non-oxidizing atmosphere. The silver alloy composition may be hardened by internal oxidation. The composition is capable of being aged hardened to at least 136 percent of its annealed hardness, and this hardening may be irreversible. The composition may be resistant to tarnishing, and may have an aged hardness of at least about 48 VHN.

Abstract: Nesting electrical connectors comprising a substrate and a silver-nickel-carbon electrodeposit atop the substrate. The electrodeposit is at least about 0.5 micrometers thick, and comprises about 10 to about 25 atomic percent nickel which is dispersed as a discontinuous phase throughout a continuous phase of the silver and has a Scherrer grain size less than about 5 nanometers. The carbon comprises about 5 to about 15 atomic percent of the deposit and has a non-crystalline graphite structure.

Abstract: A silver sol comprises silver particles having a particle size ranging from 1 to 100 nm and a silver solid content ranging from 1 to 80% by weight. The silver sol can be prepared by a method comprising the steps of reacting a solution of a silver compound with a reducing agent at a temperature ranging from 5 to 50.degree. C. and a stirring speed falling within the range of from 1,000 to 10,000 rpm to form silver fine particles; recovering the resulting silver fine particles using a centrifugal separator; and then dispersing the silver fine particles in a medium to give a silver sol having a silver solid content ranging from 1 to 80% by weight. The silver sol or a coating material obtained by diluting the sol to a desired silver solid content and, if desired, adding a binder permits the formation of a transparent conductive film on, for instance, a cathode-ray tube while reducing the production cost.

Abstract: A silver colored alloy, highly tarnish resistant, corrosion resistant and brittleness free is provided. The alloy includes 90% to 94% by weight silver, 3.50% to 7.35% by weight zinc, 1% to 3% by weight copper, and 0.1% to 2.5% by weight silicon. The alloy is suitable for rings, earrings, bangles and other jewelry.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive material of the present invention has a structure in which many clusters are surrounded by a crystal phase of Cu and/or Ag, where each cluster has a grain size of 20 nm or less and composed of an amorphous phase containing at least one ferromagnetic metal element T as a main component selected from Fe, Co and Ni, and at least one element M selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo and W.

Abstract: Silver-iron materials for electrical switching contacts with properties which come very close to those of silver-nickel materials formed of 4.6 to 15% by weight iron and 0.05 to 5% by weight of one or more of the oxides magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, yttrium oxide, lanthanum oxide, cerium oxide, chromium oxide, iron oxide, aluminum oxide, indium oxide, silicon oxide, and tin oxide, the balance being silver.

Abstract: The known method comprises the following steps. (1) the de-copperized anode slime is chlorination-leached with HCl and H.sub.2 O.sub.2. (2) Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is added to the chlorination-leach residue of (1). (3) NH.sub.3 is added to the residue of (2). (4) Distillation of NH.sub.3 to remove NH.sub.3 contained in the ammonia leach solution of (3). (5) Distillation residue is washed with water to yield refined AgCl. (6) Conversion of AgCl to Ag.sub.2 O. (7) Reduction of Ag.sub.2 O to Ag. In order to enhance the purity of the reduced silver, the present invention provides the following improvements (a) to (d). (a) Dechlorination (2) with the use of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is carried out at ambient temperature. (b) After dechlorination, the residue is washed with hot water. (c) Sulfuric acid is added instead of carrying out distillation (4). (d) Prior to conversion (6), the chlorination is again carried out.