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→Precious Metal Powders
Precious metal powders consist of small particles of approx. 1 – 100 µm diameter which distinguish themselves by particle shape, particle size and particle size distribution. Depending on the manufacturing process, silver particles may be spherical, crystalline, or dentritic. Smaller particle size typically leads to a larger surface area.
The measured densities of powders – both, the apparent density and the tap density – are low compared to the wrought metals because of the gaps between the particles. They vary in a wide range between 0.5 and 6 g/cm3 cm<sup>3</sup> depending on the morphology of the particles and their tendency to agglomeration. Precious metal powders can be compacted by pressing and then sintered; a certain amount of porosity is however always retained.
<figure id="fig:Different shapes of silver powders">
