The Industry Uses of Gold: An Overview
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Posted On :
Sep-15-2009
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Article Word Count :
455
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Since the beginning of recorded history, gold has been used in ornamentation, jewelry, and sculptures around the world. However, gold is not just used to make jewelry; it also has plenty of lesser known uses.
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Since the beginning of recorded history, gold has been used in ornamentation, jewelry, and sculptures around the world. However, gold is not just used to make jewelry; it also has plenty of lesser known uses. For example, gold is used to make dental fillings, coins, circuitry, and much more.
Gold is a soft, shiny, and malleable precious metal that has a bright yellow color. In fact, gold is the most malleable of all metals. Unlike other metals, gold does not oxidize with air or water and maintains its color and luster. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity and is not affected by moisture, air, or corrosive agents. As such, gold is very useful in a variety of industries and can be used as a coating for reactive metals.
Medicine
In medicine, gold salts can be used to treat conditions like arthritis due to their anti-inflammatory properties. In dentistry, gold alloys are used for restorations like crowns and permanent bridges. Owing to its malleability, gold produces results that are more satisfactory than those produced by porcelain crowns. Colloidal gold is used in research in the fields of medicine, biology, and materials science.
Electronics
Gold is highly conductive to electricity so it is often used to make electrical wiring in high energy applications. It is also used to make a thin layer coating on a variety of electronic connectors because of its resistance to corrosion and oxidization. For example, gold is used in connectors of audio, video, and USB cables. In addition, fine gold wires are used to connect semiconductor devices to their packages.
Food and Drink
Gold leaf, which essentially consists of small flakes of gold, is used as a decorative ingredient in some food and drink products. Gold leaf was commonly used to adorn food and drink during medieval times. It symbolized wealth and its consumption was thought to produce health benefits.
Goldwater is a traditional liquor containing gold leaf that is produced in Poland and Germany. Contrary to popular belief, gold does not have a nutritional effect. Gold does not alter body chemistry in any way and is tasteless.
Other Industry Uses
Other industry uses of gold include making thread for embroidery, special reflective layers on expensive CDs, and insulation for automobiles. In photography, gold toners are used to alter the color of prints. Gold is used to make a protective coating on many artificial satellites because it is a good reflector of electromagnetic radiation. It is also used to make thermal protective faceplates for astronauts.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_The Industry Uses of Gold: An Overview_3201.aspx
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Author Resource :
Mark Richardson is the president of KC Gold Refiners, a gold refining company based in the Midwest. KC Gold Refiners offers their services to individuals looking to sell scrap gold or jewelry. KC Gold Refiner’s buying process cuts out the middle man so consumers can receive the most cash for gold items they sell.
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Keywords :
goldbuyers, goldbuyer, gold buyer, refiner, gold, platinum, silver, scrap, sell gold, sell my gold, sell platinum, scrap gold,
Category :
Fashion
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Jewelry
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