Interesting metal nickel

Nickel is a very important metal with a remarkable historical background and unique potential for future use. It has been known as a chemical element for approximately two hundred years, and its practical use in various alloys dates back to ancient times. Examples of its use have been found in the historical development of peoples in countries such as Asia, China, Egypt, and the Caucasus dating back as far as three thousand years BC.

This metal, like iron, held a special place even in prehistoric culture (the Iron Age). They were associated with meteoric and native iron. Many metal objects discovered in Egypt were made around 4,000 BC. Meteoric iron contains nickel, reaching approximately 60 percent. Naturally, the material was used haphazardly, without proper knowledge of its properties or production methods.

It wasn't until the late eighteenth century, when the natural sciences, especially chemistry, began to develop rapidly, that a large number of metals were introduced into human economic activity. Nickel was discovered as an element in the middle of that century.

About practical application

It was only in the mid-19th century that this metal was recognized as very important:

• as an alloying element to impart strength and high toughness to steels;
• in the form of a chemically resistant metal;
• as a basis for a large number of metal alloys with special physical, electrical, magnetic, chemical, mechanical and other properties.

In the early years of this century, global nickel production experienced widespread development. This was due to the diverse and extensive needs of successful technological development on a large scale. Alloying steel with this metal began for structural, mechanical, and armor industries. High-alloy steels, nickel rolled metal products and alloys made from it (there are about three thousand steel compositions) have become very popular in many technical fields.

Where is it applicable?

• in apparatus engineering (in the form of a chemically resistant ferromagnetic material;
• in batteries as a catalyst;
• in surface coatings it is used as a pure material in order to give them high chemical resistance;
• for manufacturing nickel tubes.

These products are used to transport aggressive substances through pipelines that can corrode other metals when in contact with them. The tubes are used in the manufacture of equipment for use in hydroelectric power plants, alkali production, and food processing plants.