The Popularity of Nickel in Industry

Posted in The World Of Metal on 18th February 2011

William Rowland are a leading supplier of Nickel.

Nickel is the fifth most common element, after iron, oxygen, silicon and magnesium, and its extremely high melting point of 1453˚C, combined with its good alloying ability, have made it very popular in forming heat-and-creep-resistant alloys for the chemical and aerospace industries. However one of the lesser-known uses for nickel is as a catalyst in chemical reactions such as the hydrogenation of vegetable oils and the production of fertilisers, pesticides and fungicides.

Nickel forms alloys very readily, and over 65% of all nickel that is produced goes into stainless steel, where it promotes a stable, ductile structure and increased corrosion resistance. The combination of corrosion resistance, ease of production, appearance and availability mean that nickel-based stainless steel is the material of choice for hygienic applications such as food and beverage processing, and medical use.

Elements such as nickel, chromium, molybedenum and nitrogen are added to the standard stainless steels to produce a series of steel grades with high corrosion resistance, which are particularly suitable for the aggressive environments found in marine applications and the oil, gas, chemical and power industries. These industries are also increasingly using Duplex stainless steels containing 5-7% nickel, as the mixed ferrite/austenite structure provides high levels of strength and corrosion-resistance.
Nickel

Nickel electroplating is another well-known use for the element, providing corrosion-resistance and decorative finishes, and there are a variety of processes which can be used. Electro-forming is where items are created by building up nickel deposits on a substrate. Any detail in the surface of the substrate is very faithfully reproduced in the nickel, and this process is used to produce a wide variety of items, from moulds for pressing CDs to security holograms.

The electroplating of nickel onto plastics is increasing in popularity as the finished product is durable and lightweight, and this process is used to produce car trim, bathroom fittings and electronic connectors.

Nickel can also be deposited from a solution without the use of an electric current, and this process is known as electro-less nickel. These electro-less nickel deposits form a very uniform, smooth layer, the hardness of which can be increased through heat treatments, which then produce a durable coating that is extremely suited to pump and valve applications. Electro-less nickel is also used to make computer hard discs, as it provides a stable and non-magnetic base for the magnetic recording layer, whilst protecting the underlying aluminium disc.

William Rowland Ltd are nickel suppliers, and if you would like to find out how we can meet your requirements, please contact us using the Quick Enquiry Form on the right-hand side of this website.

Tags: High Purity Metals News, Metal Powders News, Nickel News