Nickel is a metal with atomic number 28, whose name comes from the German language. In German, it is called Saint Nicolas Copper. Nickel was discovered in the 18th century and since then it has found many uses for mankind, especially in various industries. Nickel is generally found in composition with iron. Pure nickel is highly reactive and quickly reacts with air. But it quickly covers a layer of nickel oxide on the surface of the metal and prevents it from rusting. Nickel is found in pure form on a very small scale in the earth’s crust. A part of nickel also entered the earth through meteorites that were not exposed to atmospheric oxygen. Nickel is usually used to create a protective coating on other metals due to its anti-rust properties. In this article, after a short explanation about nickel metal and its extraction, we will present some information related to its industrial use.
?How is nickel extracted
Nickel is a silvery metal that has a slight gold color. This metal with atomic number 28 is displayed in the Mendeleev table with the symbol Ni. Nickel is usually found in combination with iron and sulfur. Nickel is generally extracted from nickel sulfide and pentlandite, pyrrhotite and millerite rocks. Sulfide ore can be separated using foam flotation and hydrometallurgical or magnetic processes to create matte nickel and nickel oxide. These intermediate products, which typically contain 40 to 70 percent nickel, are then further processed using the Schritt-Gordon process.
?What are the uses of nickel
Nickel is generally used as a combined alloy with iron or copper. About 90% of nickel is used as an alloy. Nickel has a very high resistance to corrosion and decay to the point that it resists corrosion even if it is heated to the degree of reddening. The most widely used nickel alloy is its combination with chromium and iron, which is used in making stainless steel. This alloy can be found in many everyday items. From household appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators to cutlery, they may all contain nickel-plated stainless steel. Also, stainless steel has wide applications in automotive, shipbuilding, mother industries, construction and medicine.
Nickel and iron alloy is also used in the electronics industry to make conductors and insulators. Copper and nickel alloy is also used in making coins and marine industry. The reason for this is that this alloy is rustproof.
Products made with nickel usually have a very long life. Therefore, the use of nickel can be economical in the long run. In addition, most of the nickel used in the world is recycled. Therefore, its use, in addition to being economical, can also be beneficial in preserving the environment.
Another use of nickel is in battery industry, especially nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries. Also, hybrid car batteries are generally produced and supplied based on nickel formulation. Nickel is also used in the hydrogenation of vegetable oil. Adding nickel to glass also gives it a green color.
last word
Nickel has been used by humans since ancient times. But until 1736, when a Swedish chemist accidentally discovered its formula, it had an unknown nature to humans. Although nickel is not used by industries in the same scale as copper and iron, it can be claimed that human life is largely dependent on it. Many coins in different countries are made of nickel because of the high durability of this metal. Products made of nickel and its alloys are generally very durable. Nickel and its alloys are used to make many household items, especially kitchen appliances.
