03-21-2009, 06:01 PM
Here's a whole bunch of relevent on Nickel -silver, only one reference mentions oxide conductivity (and not quantitatively), but
does state that the lesser conductivity is balanced for our use by it's SLOWer oxidation rate, and better than even copper soldering characteristics. Reference below, and link to more info including explaination of the health hazard at the end if the item:
NMRA RP-10 Trackage
Brass, Steel, and Nickel-Silver are the chief materials used for making rail. Brass is noted for its conductivity and good solderability, while Steel has half this conductivity and only fair solderability. Nickel-Silver has only half the conductivity of Steel but solders even better than Brass. Tractive effort on all three materials will be equal when the railheads are polished and clean, but oxide buildup on Brass and even more so on Steel increases the possible tractive effort on these materials. These same oxides, however, are generally non-conductive and require frequent use or cleaning to provide reliable current pickup. Nickel-Silver is nearly oxide-free and requires minimum maintenance while providing constant tractive effort of locomotives.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Nickel_silver">http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Nickel_silver</a><!-- m -->
Still looking for enlightenment !
does state that the lesser conductivity is balanced for our use by it's SLOWer oxidation rate, and better than even copper soldering characteristics. Reference below, and link to more info including explaination of the health hazard at the end if the item:
NMRA RP-10 Trackage
Brass, Steel, and Nickel-Silver are the chief materials used for making rail. Brass is noted for its conductivity and good solderability, while Steel has half this conductivity and only fair solderability. Nickel-Silver has only half the conductivity of Steel but solders even better than Brass. Tractive effort on all three materials will be equal when the railheads are polished and clean, but oxide buildup on Brass and even more so on Steel increases the possible tractive effort on these materials. These same oxides, however, are generally non-conductive and require frequent use or cleaning to provide reliable current pickup. Nickel-Silver is nearly oxide-free and requires minimum maintenance while providing constant tractive effort of locomotives.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Nickel_silver">http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Nickel_silver</a><!-- m -->
Still looking for enlightenment !
James Thurber - "It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers."