Nitric acid on sterling plated items

[bisjac]

I have a heap of plated silverware. bowls, goblets, platters and the sort.
what is the material underneath the silver? i assumed it was iron?
what does nitric acid do to iron? or other material i may come across.
and would iron/whatever is inside, ruin my nitrate solution before i get to the copper concreting step?

I havnt dont a thing and dont plan to till i fully understand. im reading all over this site and it seems most people have solid sterling items they are refining. i dont have that kind of loot to work with. mine is just plated.

Thanks for input

 

[Geo]

use a magnet to see if its magnetic. i dont think it would be, more likely its brass or copper. if you are determined to reclaim the silver, you should research a stripping cell.

 

[qst42know]

Silver plate can be on many different metals, nickel silver, brass, copper, lead or pewter, zinc, and even steel. Many times these can be mixed as in lead feet or trim on brass or copper.