In article , John R Leddy
wrote:

Java Jive;94051 Wrote:
On Sat, 13 Jun 2015 15:35:44 +0100, RJH wrote:
Unlike gold, silver corrodes quite easily. That's why your family
silver needs constant cleaning by the ball of your butler's thumb
wrapped in a suitable cloth.
I'm under the impression silver tarnishes; that's to say, there's a
layer of staining sitting on top of the surface of the silver, which is
easily wiped away with lime juice. I've been thinking copper corrodes;
that's to say, there's a chemical reaction within the copper itself,
which is destructive and similar to rust in iron. Anybody have a more
precise explanation? Just curious.

Both copper and sliver tarnish quickly when exposed to air, etc. However if
undisturbed the coating of tarnish does then to partly act as a barrier to
further tarnish. Only 'partly' though.

Most metals sold for general uses are impure or alloyed. So can suffer from
all kinds of degrading. Problem is that as the punter you often can't tell
what you're getting despite fancy labels.

So much for the way fancy cable makers can obsess about 'skin effect'.

All that said, I've never had problems with 'copper' *cables* deteriorating
in use, despite buying fairly basic types for which no fancy claims are
made or fancy prices charged. I've used much the same cables for over 30
years in some case.

Jim

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