Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-05-21 18:14
Clarinet keys were never made of solid silver. It is far too soft a metal to forge and the keys would be too soft and malleable to hold their shape. Even alloyed with other, base metals is not done for things like clarinet keywork.
Furthermore, it's too expensive for what you get out of it - a questionably serviceable alloy without the necessary strength and rigidity. Silver is used as plating, never as structure, except in "silver" coins (90% silver) and tableware, etc.
German silver is extensively used, but that contains no elemental silver and the name is now prohibited unless it contains silver. It's an alloy of copper zinc, and nickel, with varying amounts of each, and some tin and/or lead at times. It's used because of its hardness, toughness, and resistance to corrosion, for articles such as tableware (commonly silver plated), marine fittings, musical instrument keywork, and plumbing fixtures.
B>
Post Edited (2014-05-23 07:10)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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