- What is Melchior?
- Useful properties of utensils made of nickel silver
- Advantages of a cupronickel ware:
- Disadvantages of a silverware:
- How to take care of a cup of silverware?
- Rules for storing utensils made of nickel silver:
There is an opinion that nickel is harmful to health. Is this really the case, because some people use such dishes for a long time and always? In this article we will discuss this alloy, find out its strengths and weaknesses and consider the rules of care for it.
to the contents ↑What is Melchior?
Melchior is an alloy of copper( 80%) and nickel( 18%).This metal was discovered during the time of Napoleon by the French scientists Mayo and Shorie.
Important! They named it in honor of scientists "Mayshor", but this name of the alloy did not take root in the European territory because of the inhabitants of Germany, who named the alloy "Melchior" in honor of the wise biblical sorcerer. And it was this name that was later popularized.
Dishes made of pure silver were not allowed to be produced in the last century. It was replaced by a new, improved and completely safe alloy, which is called in most countries "Neisilber", which means "new silver".It consists of an alloy of red copper( 50-60%), zinc( 20-30%), nickel( 15-20%) and silver. In the old-fashioned way, in the CIS countries, utensils made of new metal, to this day called the nickel silver.
to the table of contents ↑Useful properties of the cupronickel ware
"Melchior is bad for health" - this statement is not only erroneous, but also fundamentally wrong, because this knowledge is not only not harmful, it is useful for each of us. To substantiate this view, we should consider each component of this alloy from the point of view of its influence on the human body.
Nickel:
- Accumulation of this microelement occurs mainly in the pancreas and parathyroid gland. It promotes long-term preservation of low blood glucose levels by enhancing the positive action of insulin.
Important! This property of nickel is especially valuable for people with diabetes.
- Nickel ions also oxidize vitamin C and have a beneficial effect on the functions that the enzymes perform.
- Metal improves the condition of hypertensive patients.
Copper
This metal in micro doses is present in the blood of each person. It is an important component of a large number of enzymes and has antibacterial properties.
Important! The daily required dose of this microelement for an adult organism is 0.9 mg. The shortage( "copper starvation") or excess of the norm can adversely affect the state of human health.
Melchior and youth
Nothing gives the age of a person the way this skin does. Melchior generally contributes to the maintenance of youth and beauty of the skin. To make sure of this, wash your face with water every day with nickel ions, and you will forget about skin diseases and premature wrinkles.
Important! To saturate the water with ions of nickel, leave a metal item in a vessel with water for several hours.
to the contents ↑Advantages of a cupronickel:
- Melchior instruments do not heat up as fast as silver ones. This property is due to the thermal conductivity of copper, because it is much lower than that of silver. The practical side of this plus is that by lowering the spoon into hot tea, you will not burn it if after some time you decide to use the device.
- Beautiful appearance. The dishes from this alloy look rich and exquisite.
- The myth that malchior is harmful to health has long been debunked. The components of this alloy are present in the body of each person and fulfill their important functions. Therefore, if we assume that a small amount of metal will enter the body, then it certainly will not bring harm. For the environment, nickel is also safe, as it does not emit any harmful substances.
- The alloy does not rust, which is just perfect in the case of cutlery.
- This metal can be safely called strong. Forks, spoons and knives from nickel silver do not bend even as a result of a significant load, which can not be said about aluminum and silver appliances.
- The durability of appliances and utensils from this alloy is simply amazing. Perhaps the formation of a plaque, but this defect is easy to remove if you know the simple methods of care for a cupronickel.
- The cost of dishes made of nickel silver is much lower than silver. Although, as you can see, the quality and characteristics of the metal are about the same.
Disadvantages of a cupronickel ware:
- A significant drawback of devices and utensils made of nickel silver is the rapid loss of the original appearance. Unfortunately, all alloy objects are quickly covered with blue-copper divorces, which is the result of a natural process - oxidation.
Important! This defect is not associated with care or storage methods, as was previously thought.
- The first drawback is the following - the need for special care. Items from this alloy must be cleaned regularly to make them look beautiful all the time.
- Find cups made from nickel silver for today is problematic. If earlier, for example, in the USSR, it was practically the only option available for the bulk of the population of cutlery, today, nickel is no longer so popular and not produced in such large volumes. And if you still found a cupronickel spoon and fork, then the appearance of them, for sure, is not so refined, which is remembered from childhood.
Important! Some people may find the dishes of this alloy unfashionable and irrelevant. But this opinion is one-sided. Antique things are always an integral part of modern fashion.
to the table of contents ↑How to take care of the small-sized glassware?
Let's consider the basic rules of care of such devices that you could admire them and they did not cause you dislike during use.
For cleaning cutlery, you can use tooth powder, paste, chalk or a special tool for cleaning jewelry made of precious metals.
Important! Means with the content of acids and chlorine is better not to use, since subsequently on the metal can form plaque.
Soda solution
You can clean the smart metal without the help of household chemicals. To do this, use the soda solution.
Important! You can not clean the cupronickel soda in its pure form, since the instruments can form ugly scratches.
Method number 1
To implement this method, you do not need special tools and knowledge of secrets. Everything is extremely simple:
- In 1 liter of warm water, dilute 50 g of baking soda.
- Wash the cups in the resulting solution, then rinse with clean water.
- Dry all soft objects with a soft towel.
Important! In no case should you leave the instruments of this alloy wet. This will cause the emergence of new divorces and blemishes.
Method number 2
To implement this method, you need an aluminum dish, a piece of foil and, of course, soda:
- Place a sheet of foil on the bottom of the aluminum vessel.
- Pour the prepared soda into the aluminum container and place in it all items that require cleaning.
Important! Instead of soda in solution, you can use food salt( 3 tablespoons).
- Boil the whole pan.
Important! After such a procedure, the devices will regain their radiance and look like new ones.
Ammonium alcohol
This drug liquid is an assistant not only in solving health problems, but also in giving the house and things cleanliness. In the case of cupronickel ware ammonia spirit can also help.
Procedure:
- Dilute a small amount of ammonia in the water.
- Dip into the solution of the products of nickel and leave it for a while.
- Thoroughly rinse all elements of the dishes in clean water and dry with a soft towel.
Egg shell broth
This product is not very well known, however, it is very effective when it comes to the cleanliness of the cupronickel ware.
Procedure:
- Slice the shell from two eggs to the powder state.
- Pour the powder into 1 liter of water and add 1 tablespoon of salt.
- Bring the solution to a boil, then place in it all the items that you want to clean.
- Boil the appliances for two minutes.
- Rinse the dishes with clean water and dry them thoroughly with a towel.
Rules for storing utensils made of nickel silver:
- Only place the storage devices dry. The place for this also should not be wet.
- To store such utensils is best in case-boxes, in which it was sold. If you do not have such, then contact any pottery shop. Such boxes will protect devices from dust, moisture and mechanical influences.
Important! Make sure that there is no perfume and household chemicals in the storage area. Such substances can provoke darkening and oxidation of the metal.
As you can see, the dishes made of nickel silver are not only not harmful, but also to some extent useful. And the rules of caring for her are not particularly difficult. Therefore, if you like such cutlery, feel free to use them. And if you want to refine your utensils, you can turn to the jeweler and make an additional covering of it with silver.