The materials of medals are rich and diverse, with the following common ones:
Metal class:
Gold: Pure gold is soft and has a golden color, with high value and ornamental value. However, due to the high cost and soft texture of pure gold, which is not suitable for long-term storage and use, gold medals in major sports events such as the Olympics are usually silver gold-plated. For example, the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics weighs 529 grams, of which only 6 grams are pure gold plated on the medal.
Silver: Silver medals are commonly used materials for silver medals in Olympic and other events, with good ductility and glossiness. The content of pure silver is usually 92.5% or more. The price of silver is relatively moderate, and the medals produced have a good texture, which is prone to oxidation and discoloration in the air.
Copper: Copper is one of the earliest and most widely used metals by humans. The bronze medals in the Olympic Games are often made of copper or copper alloys, which can increase the hardness and durability of the medals. Common copper alloys include bronze (with tin or lead added to pure copper), brass (composed of pure copper and zinc), and so on. For example, the bronze medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were made of 95% pure copper and 5% zinc.
Iron: Iron has a lower cost and higher strength, but is prone to rusting, so it is rarely used as the main material for medals alone. However, it can be used for medal production after special surface treatment processes, such as painting, nickel plating, etc., which can prevent rusting to a certain extent and increase aesthetics.
Stainless steel: It has good corrosion resistance, hardness, and strength, is not easy to rust, and can maintain a bright appearance for a long time. Stainless steel medals are commonly used in occasions where cost control and durability are required, such as corporate events and school competitions.
Titanium: Titanium metal has the advantages of light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance, etc., and its color can be processed into multiple colors through processes such as anodizing. The medals produced have a unique texture and visual effect, but the cost is relatively high.
Zinc alloy: Zinc alloy has a low melting point, good fluidity, and is easy to process and shape. It can produce various complex shapes and patterns, and the surface can be treated with electroplating, spraying, etc. to obtain rich colors and luster. It is commonly used to make mid-range medals.
