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♦ Sterling
Silver-
Many of our products contain sterling silver. To be considered solid
sterling, there must be a minimum content of .925 of pure silver. Silver is
relatively easy to work with, engrave, and shape. It's durability, and
special luster have made it a valuable product for centuries.
♦
Solid
Gold-
Like
sterling silver, this ancient symbol of value speaks for itself. We use gold
primarily for our nibs to give them the soft touch. To be considered 18
Karat Solid Gold, the material must contain .750 of solid gold.
♦
Platinum
-
A silver- white metallic
element occurring worldwide, usually mixed with other metals such as
iridium, osmium, or nickel. It is ductile and malleable, does not oxidize in
air, and is used as a catalyst and in electrical components, jewelry,
dentistry, and electroplating. Atomic number 78; atomic weight 195.08;
melting point 1,772°C;
boiling point 3,827°C;
specific gravity 21.45; valence 2,3,4. We generally use rhodium in favor of
platinum as it is generally superior for our uses, though can be 2-4 times
the cost of platinum.
♦
Rhodium- "The Great White Metal."
Found on many Franklin-Christoph items, rhodium is a brilliant, reflective
and very hard, scratch
resistant and corrosion resistant material. Atomic number 45; atomic weight
102.905; melting point 1,966°C;
boiling point 3,727°C;
specific gravity 12.41; valence 2,3,4,5,6.
At 2-4 times the cost of platinum, this truly is a precious metal.
♦
Iridium-
A very hard and brittle, exceptionally corrosion-resistant, whitish-yellow
metallic element occurring in platinum ores and used principally to harden
platinum and in high temperature materials, electrical contacts, and
wear-resistant bearings. Atomic number 77; atomic weight 192.2; melting
point 2,410°C;
boiling point 4,130°C;
specific gravity 22.42; valence 3,4.
An Iridium alloy is used by Franklin-Christoph specifically for tipping
steel and gold nibs.
♦
Acrylic-
Comes in many variations,
and formulations. We often use a methacrylate acrylic, which is a very hard
and durable plastic, well suited for writing instruments. Made from a
derivative of methacrylic acid.
♦
Lacquer-
Our writing instruments
with lacquered pieces are also very durable and long lasting. Several coats
of lacquer are applied to each piece, with extra clear coats for additional
protection. Lacquer is usually applied to brass pieces. These metal based
pens are usually heavier.
♦
Brass-
Used as a base metal for
pen barrels and parts, such as clips, sections, etc. Dent resistant and
strong, brass is a very solid foundation material. A yellowish alloy of
copper and zinc, sometimes including small amounts of other metals, but
usually 67 percent copper and 33 percent zinc.
♦ Chrome-
(Chromium)- FC rarely uses chrome (in favor of Rhodium), though it is a fine material
often used to plate brass parts on writing instruments. The thin, hard
Paradox clip, for instance is chrome plated.
♦ ABS-
(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) -
hard plastic
sometimes used in writing instruments.
Franklin-Christoph Copyright 2001-2008
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