Internal oxidation of silver-sulphur alloys.

Silver - sulphur alloys fulfill conditions for internal oxidation. For the difference from sulphur oxides silver oxide (Ag2O) is not stable at temperatures over 180 degrees centigrade and 1 atm. pressure of oxygen. Both the elements in small concentrations are soluble in silver. The solubility of sulphur is higher than that of oxygen. The diffusion rate of oxygen in silver is higher as compared to that of sulphur. Peculiarities of internal oxidation of silver - sulphur alloys come from their two - phase microstructures and gaseous products of the oxidation.