Silver-coated ball and method for manufacturing same

Abstract

A silver-coated ball 10 according to the present invention includes: a spherical core 1 ; and a coating layer 2 including silver superfine particles, which is arranged so as to surround the core 1 . The silver superfine particles included in the coating layer 2 have a mean particle size of 1 nm to 50 nm.

1 . A method of making a silver-coated ball, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a dispersion including a spherical core, silver superfine particles, and a solvent;   forming a film of the dispersion on the surface of the core; and   removing the solvent of the dispersion from the film of the dispersion, thereby forming a coating layer, including the silver superfine particles, on the surface of the core,   wherein the silver superfine particles have a mean particle size of 1 nm to 50 nm, and   wherein the solvent includes a nonpolar hydrocarbon solvent, and   wherein the ratio in mass percentage of the silver superfine particles to the solvent is 40-85 mass % to 15-60 mass %.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of forming the film of the dispersion on the surface of the core includes immersing the core in the dispersion. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of forming the coating layer including the silver superfine particles includes putting the ball, on which the film of the dispersion has been formed, on a slope and rolling the ball on the slope. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent includes a solvent with a boiling point higher than about 100° C. and a solvent with a boiling point that is equal to or lower than about 100° C. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nonpolar hydrocarbon solvent includes xylene.