Numerous laboratory tests are reported of couples between 24 and 10 karat gold, sterling silver, 800 silver, 430 stainless iron, composition, 10 percent nickel silver, 18 percent nickel silver, aluminum bronze, LC nickel and 305 stainless steel in both acid and alkaline synthetic perspiration. Expected potential difference occurred between the materials and gold. Type 305 stainless steel showed the least tendency to corrode with the copper base alloys showing the greatest tendency toward corrosion. Potentials in acid perspiration were greater than those in alkaline.
The authors conclude alloys which develop protective films are more satisfactory than those which do not. Resistance of nickel is not entirely satisfactory but no single substitute has the general usefulness of nickel. Under many conditions Type 430 stainless iron is not sufficiently resistant to be useful in jewelry making.
