Definition

Noun: A silvery-white alloy composed primarily of copper, zinc, and nickel. It is valued for its hardness, resistance to corrosion, and silver-like appearance, but it contains no elemental silver.

Usage

Nickel silver is used as a base metal for plating, in the manufacture of various household items, musical instruments, and hardware due to its durability and attractive finish. - The old doorknob was made of durable nickel silver. - Many musical instruments, like flutes and saxophones, are often made from nickel silver.

Advanced Usage

• Industrial Application: The alloy is frequently used in electrical components, zippers, and keys because it is strong, springy, and takes a high polish.
  • The craftsman chose nickel silver for the model train parts because of its excellent machining properties.

Variants and Related Words

• German Silver: A common synonym for nickel silver.
  • The antique tea set was described in the catalog as being made of German silver.

Synonyms

• Argentan
• Alpacca (or Alpaca)
• Maillechort

Notes

While it is called "silver," this term refers only to its color and appearance. It is an inexpensive alternative to sterling silver for many applications.

Noun

1. a silver-white alloy containing copper and zinc and nickel