‘German silver’ is used to make decorative articles, coinage metal, or

‘German silver’ is used to make decorative articles, coinage metal, ornaments etc. The name is given because :

it is an alloy of copper and contains silver as one of its components
Germans were the first to use silver
its appearance is like silver
it is an alloy of silver
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2016
‘German silver’ is given this name because its appearance resembles silver.
German silver is a copper alloy typically containing copper, nickel, and zinc. Despite its name, it contains no silver. The name originates from its silvery-white appearance, which makes it look similar to sterling silver.
The composition of German silver can vary, but common proportions are 60% copper, 20% nickel, and 20% zinc. It is valued for its hardness, toughness, resistance to corrosion, and attractive appearance, making it suitable for cutlery, musical instruments, and decorative items besides coinage metal and ornaments.
Exit mobile version