The term "nickel silver" evolved because it was considered a replacement for more expensive and lower tensile strength alloys used at the time for woodwind instrument keys. Kind of an advertisement as an "improved" silver.

I hadn't heard "german silver" before, but it makes sense as a derogatory comeback to that advertising slogan, much the same as you could say a "Chinese Rolex".

Wayne

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Yuan-chia Joyce Koo
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 3:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Soldering to 'Nickel-Silver'

it did form oxide and change the soldering window (narrow).   if you  
get it fresh from your vendor, store it in dry pack (preferably, oxygen free).  good luck... (yes, remember it well as German silver... because someone want me to find the silver... - claim I must miss it altogether in analysis...;-).  old  days..  (i don't see  the nickel-silver  name will help me in this regard).
jk
On Aug 17, 2017, at 4:47 PM, Giamis, Andy wrote:

> Thanks George,
> I'll play around a little and see what sticks.
> Gotta love these crazy alloy names:  German-Silver, Nickel-Silver, 
> etc.  And not a lick of silver in it.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of George Wenger
> Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 3:38 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [TN] Soldering to 'Nickel-Silver'
>
> Andy,
>
> I somewhat agree with Bev that some of the no-clean solder pastes and 
> fluxes should allow you to solder to Nickel-Silver.  I disagree that 
> is commonly referred to as German Silver.  Since he's from Canada it 
> may commonly be referred to there and in Europe as German Silver but 
> in my 40 years in telecommunication equipment soldering I've commonly 
> heard it referred to as Nickel-Silver.
>
> I also agree with Phil, any flux that contains zinc chloride and HCl 
> should solder almost any metal.
>
> You might also want to try soldering with a standard WSF and you 
> should have success.
>
> My other recommendation is to do solderability testing in your 
> analysis lab and she what flux works
>
> George
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bev Christian
> Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 4:12 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [TN] Soldering to 'Nickel-Silver'
>
> Andy,
> This is commonly referred to as German Silver.  I have seen it often 
> used for RF cans.  It should solder fine with your usual non- clean 
> solder pastes.
> However, will the can warp?  We set specific maximum sizes for 
> different shapes of RF cans (not that the designers would always 
> listen).  We also measured can warpage using shadow moiré.
>
> Regards,
> Bev Christian
> HDP User Group
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Giamis, Andy
> Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 3:38 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [TN] Soldering to 'Nickel-Silver'
>
> Hi Folks,
> Has anyone had experience soldering to 'Nickel-Silver'
> This is a ternary alloy with approximately 60% Cu, 20% Ni, 20% Zn.
>
> If so, are there any special considerations such as flux type, pre- 
> tinning etc...
>
>
>
> Best Regards,
> Andy
> Senior Failure Analysis Engineer
> CommScope
> 2601 Telecom Pkwy
> Richardson, TX, 75082, USA