Silver as sterling silver is used mostly as a precious metal and as alloys for jewelry, silverware, coinage, in electrical contacts in electronics and radio equipment for more corrosion resistance and conductivity. Silver is used in the making of solder and brazing alloys and electrical contacts of high capacity silver-zinc and silver-cadmium batteries. Silver halogenide compounds are of the utmost importance in photography (where approximately 30% of the U.S. Industrial consumption goes into this application).
Silver's catalytic properties make it ideal for use as a catalyst in oxidation reactions, in organic and inorganic synthesis, e.g. in converting alcohols into aldehydes and acids or ethylene oxidizing.
Silver's sterilizing, antisepticising effects are commonly known: preparations have antibacterial, anastaltic and catheresis properties which are connected to their ability to disturb germs' enzyme systems and to precipitate proteins. Silver nitrate solution was a standard of care but was largely replaced by silver sulfadiazine cream. Other options such as silver coated dressings (activated silver dressings) are used in addition to SSD cream, and may present advantages such as pain reduction and capacity for treatment at home |